Free Guide to Arborvitae Spacing and Planting Distance

Understanding Arborvitae Spacing Basics

Arborvitae trees are popular landscape choices across North America, valued for their dense foliage and ability to create natural privacy screens. The spacing between arborvitae trees depends on several factors, including the mature width of the specific variety, your landscape goals, and the time you're willing to wait for trees to fill in. Proper spacing prevents competition for resources and reduces disease pressure that can develop when trees are planted too closely together.

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Most arborvitae varieties range from 3 to 15 feet in mature width, depending on the cultivar. The spacing distance you choose will directly affect how quickly your planting achieves a full appearance and how healthy your trees remain over time. Trees planted too closely together will compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight, leading to slower growth rates and potential stress that makes them susceptible to insects and diseases. Conversely, trees spaced too far apart may take many years to create the visual effect you're seeking.

The general rule for arborvitae spacing is to plant trees at a distance equal to their mature width. However, this guideline can be adjusted based on your timeline and preferences. If you want an immediate full appearance, you might space trees closer together—sometimes at 50 to 75 percent of their mature width. If you prefer trees to have more individual space and you're willing to wait longer for a mature look, spacing them further apart works well for landscapes where air circulation and light penetration matter.

Understanding the growth rate of your specific arborvitae variety helps inform spacing decisions. Fast-growing varieties like Green Giant arborvitae can reach their mature dimensions in 10 to 15 years, while slower-growing dwarf varieties may take 20 years or more. Knowing these timelines allows you to make spacing choices that match both your immediate landscape needs and your long-term vision for the space.

Takeaway: Space arborvitae trees based on their mature width and your timeline for achieving a full landscape appearance. Most varieties should be planted 3 to 15 feet apart, depending on the specific cultivar and your goals for density and spacing.

Spacing Guidelines for Common Arborvitae Varieties

Different arborvitae cultivars have distinct mature sizes, and understanding these differences is essential for proper spacing. Green Giant arborvitae, one of the most popular privacy hedge varieties, reaches approximately 40 feet tall but only 12 to 20 feet wide at maturity. For this variety, spacing trees 12 to 20 feet apart is appropriate if you want them to eventually touch and create a solid screen. If you prefer faster visual results, spacing them 8 to 12 feet apart will create a fuller appearance within 5 to 7 years.

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Emerald Green arborvitae, another widely planted columnar variety, grows to about 40 feet tall but remains relatively narrow at 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. This variety allows for closer spacing when creating privacy screens or windbreaks. Planting Emerald Green arborvitae 3 to 4 feet apart creates a cohesive hedge appearance relatively quickly, typically within 5 to 8 years. Some landscapers space them as close as 2.5 feet apart for immediate visual impact, though this increases competition and disease risk.

Degroot's Cedar, also called Techny arborvitae, grows 20 to 25 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide. This hardy variety tolerates cold climates well and should be spaced 12 to 15 feet apart for natural development. DeGroot's Cedar grows more slowly than Green Giant, so if you want faster filling in, reducing spacing to 10 feet may be worth the increased maintenance attention.

Dwarf varieties like Emerald Green (also sold as Techny Green), Techny's Emerald, and other compact cultivars grow only 15 to 20 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. These smaller varieties work well in residential landscapes with limited space and can be spaced just 3 to 4 feet apart to create hedges. For specimen plantings where you want individual tree form to be visible, spacing them 6 to 8 feet apart displays their natural shape more effectively.

The spacing you choose should account for the specific variety's mature width plus approximately 1 to 2 feet of additional space for air circulation. This extra space helps prevent fungal diseases that thrive in humid, stagnant air conditions. Checking the plant tag or nursery specifications for your particular cultivar provides the most accurate information for making spacing decisions.

Takeaway: Research your specific arborvitae variety's mature width and growth rate. Common privacy varieties like Green Giant space well at 12 to 20 feet apart, while narrower cultivars like Emerald Green can be planted 3 to 4 feet apart for privacy hedges.

How to Measure and Mark Planting Locations

Accurate measurement and marking of planting locations ensures consistent spacing and a professional-looking final result. Begin by measuring the total length of the area where you'll plant arborvitae. If you're creating a 50-foot privacy screen with trees spaced 10 feet apart, you'll need 5 trees. Measuring twice before beginning to dig prevents costly spacing errors and wasted time repositioning trees.

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Use a measuring tape to mark specific planting locations. For a straight line—common for hedges and privacy screens—drive a wooden stake at each end of the planting area and stretch a string line between them. Mark planting spots along the string at your desired spacing intervals using chalk, spray paint, or temporary flags. This visual guide keeps your planting line straight and spacing uniform.

For curved plantings or island beds, use a garden hose or rope laid out on the ground to establish the curve. Then measure and mark planting locations along this line using flags or stakes. Photography or sketching your marked layout provides documentation that's useful for comparing your plan to the final result.

When planting on slopes, account for visual perspective. Trees planted on a slope appear closer together than those planted on flat ground because of the angle and distance compression caused by elevation changes. You may need to increase spacing by 10 to 15 percent on slopes to maintain visual uniformity across the landscape.

Soil conditions may require adjustments to your planned spacing. Extremely compacted or poor-quality soil may benefit from wider spacing to reduce competition stress on young trees. Similarly, areas with existing tree shade may need wider spacing to provide sufficient light to each arborvitae, as these plants prefer full sun conditions.

Takeaway: Mark planting locations using a measuring tape, string line, and temporary flags. Double-check your measurements and spacing intervals before digging any holes, and adjust spacing if planting on slopes or in areas with poor soil conditions.

Soil Preparation and Spacing Considerations

Soil quality dramatically affects how well arborvitae trees develop and whether your chosen spacing works effectively. Arborvitae prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. Before planting, test your soil to understand its composition, drainage characteristics, and pH level. County extension offices typically offer soil testing services for a modest fee, providing detailed recommendations for amendments.

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If your soil is dense clay that drains poorly, trees planted closer together will face intensified competition for the limited moisture that eventually drains through the soil. In these situations, spacing trees slightly wider than standard recommendations—perhaps 15 to 25 percent farther apart—reduces stress and improves establishment success. Adding 2 to 3 inches of compost to the top 12 inches of soil throughout the planting area improves drainage and provides nutrients for young tree development.

Sandy soils that drain very quickly may require closer spacing to create visual density, since you'll likely need to irrigate these areas regularly anyway. The water you apply will be distributed among the trees regardless of spacing, so closer planting doesn't necessarily increase competition stress in sandy soils the way it does in clay soils. However, sandy soils typically need more frequent irrigation, which increases maintenance requirements.

Compacted urban soils or areas where heavy equipment has been used benefit from soil decompaction before planting. Breaking up compacted soil with a broadfork or rototiller before establishing planting holes creates better