How Far Apart Should Green Giant Arborvitae Be Planted

Green giant arborvitae should be planted 5 to 6 feet apart for a dense privacy screen.
 
If you want a looser hedge or a staggered row, you can space them 8 to 10 feet apart.
 
The exact distance between green giant arborvitae depends on your goal and how quickly you want the screen to fill in.
 
Understanding how far apart green giant arborvitae should be planted is key to healthy growth and a beautiful landscape.
 
In this post, we’ll break down the best spacing for green giant arborvitae, what influences that spacing, and how to plant them for different purposes.
 
Let’s dive into the details of how far apart green giant arborvitae should be planted.
 

How Far Apart Should Green Giant Arborvitae Be Planted for Privacy?

The most common reason to plant green giant arborvitae is for a fast-growing privacy screen.
 
To achieve that quickly, you need to plant green giant arborvitae at the right spacing.
 
As a rule, green giant arborvitae should be planted 5 to 6 feet apart when you want a solid wall.
 
Here’s why that distance works so well.
 

1. Close Spacing Creates a Quicker Screen

When you plant green giant arborvitae 5 feet apart, the branches will overlap within two to three years.
 
That overlapping gives you a dense, year‑round privacy barrier much sooner than wider spacing would.
 
If you plant them 6 feet apart, they take a bit longer to touch but still form a tight hedge eventually.
 
The closer the spacing for green giant arborvitae, the faster it becomes a living fence.
 

2. Avoid Planting Too Close Together

Never plant green giant arborvitae closer than 4 feet apart.
 
When green giant arborvitae are crammed together, they compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
 
That can cause stunted growth and even disease from poor air circulation.
 
So for most situations, how far apart green giant arborvitae should be planted is a minimum of 4 feet.
 

3. Wider Spacing for a Natural Look

If you prefer a more open, natural appearance, space green giant arborvitae 8 to 10 feet apart.
 
At that distance, each tree develops its full cone shape without crowding.
 
You still get some screening over time, but it won’t be a solid wall.
 
Many gardeners choose this spacing for a windbreak or a soft boundary line.
 

Factors That Affect Green Giant Arborvitae Spacing

How far apart green giant arborvitae should be planted isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all answer.
 
Several factors influence the ideal distance between plants.
 
Let’s look at the most important ones.
 

1. Growth Rate and Mature Size

Green giant arborvitae can grow 3 to 5 feet per year when young.
 
At maturity, they reach 50 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide.
 
That mature width is why you need to give them enough room when planting green giant arborvitae.
 
If you space green giant arborvitae too tightly, they may get top‑heavy or develop bare lower branches.
 

2. Soil and Drainage

Healthy soil encourages vigorous growth, which can affect how you space them.
 
In rich, well‑drained soil, green giant arborvitae will fill in faster.
 
That means you can afford to use wider spacing, like 6 to 7 feet, and still get a screen within a few years.
 
In poor or compacted soil, growth slows down.
 
Then you may want to plant green giant arborvitae a little closer, around 5 feet apart, to compensate.
 

3. Sunlight Availability

Green giant arborvitae thrive in full sun to partial shade.
 
In full sun, they grow denser, so you can space them a bit wider.
 
In shadier spots, the plants are more open and need closer spacing to create a solid look.
 
When deciding how far apart green giant arborvitae should be planted, check how much light your site gets.
 

4. Desired Height of the Screen

If you only need a low hedge of 8 to 10 feet tall, you can plant green giant arborvitae closer together.
 
But if you plan to let them grow to their full 60‑foot height, wider spacing is better.
 
Taller trees need more space to support their branches and root systems.
 
Plan the spacing for green giant arborvitae based on how tall you want them to be.
 

Planting Green Giant Arborvitae for Different Purposes

The best spacing changes depending on what you want to achieve.
 
Here are three common goals and the recommended distance between green giant arborvitae for each.
 

1. Dense Privacy Hedge

For a thick, impenetrable screen, plant green giant arborvitae 5 to 6 feet apart.
 
Use a single row for a straight wall, or a staggered double row for maximum density.
 
With a double row, offset the plants so each tree fills the gap between trees in the other row.
 
That gives you instant coverage and is ideal near patios or property lines.
 

2. Windbreak or Noise Barrier

A windbreak needs to be dense but not necessarily solid from top to bottom.
 
Space green giant arborvitae 8 to 10 feet apart for this purpose.
 
The trees will still reduce wind speed and muffle noise, but they won’t form a tight wall.
 
That lets airflow pass through slightly, which can be better for preventing snowdrifts.
 

3. Specimen Trees or Accent Planting

If you want individual green giant arborvitae to stand out, give them plenty of room.
 
Plant them 12 to 15 feet apart so each tree can develop its full, elegant shape.
 
At that spacing, how far apart green giant arborvitae should be planted is basically the width of their mature canopy.
 
This works great for corner plantings, entryway accents, or framing a view.
 

So, How Far Apart Should Green Giant Arborvitae Be Planted?

Green giant arborvitae should be planted 5 to 6 feet apart for a dense privacy screen, or 8 to 10 feet apart for a looser hedge or windbreak.
 
The ideal distance between green giant arborvitae depends on your purpose, soil, sunlight, and how quickly you want results.
 
When planting green giant arborvitae, always consider their mature size and give enough room for healthy growth.
 
Hope this guide helps you choose the perfect spacing for green giant arborvitae in your landscape.
 
Happy planting.