When planting emerald green arborvitae for privacy, spacing should be based on the desired width of the hedge. Generally it is recommended to space the arborvitae between 2 and 4 feet apart, though it will ultimately depend on the amount of space available and desired width of the hedge.
For a dense hedge, it is best to plant between 2-3 feet apart. For a moderate hedge, plant between 3-4 feet apart. The depth of the planting area should be about twice the width of the pot or container for full-sized arborvitae, or at least 12” for smaller specimens.
For extra wind protection, it is recommended to space the plants even closer. When planting larger specimens, plan to space the arborvitae 2-6 feet apart. Also keep in mind the ultimate how big the hedge will get—again, this will depend on the desired height, but generally, full-sized arborvitae will reach heights of 12-15 feet when mature.
It is important to properly care and maintain the hedge, including deep waterings about twice a week for newly planted emerald green arborvitae. With proper planting and maintenance, you can achieve a beautiful, lush, and long lasting privacy screen with emerald green arborvitae.
How long does it take for Emerald Green arborvitae to establish?
The Emerald Green arborvitae is known for its rapid growth within a relatively short timeframe. These evergreens are capable of growing 2 – 3 feet per year, although this growth rate will be slower when they are younger.
With this fast growth rate, it can take as little as 3 -4 years for them to achieve a level of establishment. The plants will become more resistant to temperature extremes and lawn conditions by reaching full maturity in 5 – 8 years.
During the first couple of years, the Emerald Green arborvitae should be watered regularly and kept free of any stress. In order to ensure the quickest and healthiest establishment, fertilizing with an all-purpose blend should be done in the early spring and then two more times in the summer months.
Additionally, pruning and shaping should be done at least twice a year to optimize the plant’s shape.
What happens if you plant arborvitae too close?
If you plant an arborvitae too close–i. e. within its mature width–it may result in crowded roots, leading to stunted, misshapen growth as the tree struggles to secure water, minerals and air. Additionally, these trees are naturally slow-growing, which means that dense plantings tend to become overcrowded with no room for air circulation.
This alsoresults in a decrease in photosynthesis, which can stunt the growth of your arborvitae. When two arborvitae are planted too close, their branches may eventually cross, creating the potential for disease and insect damage as the wound caused by the branches rubbing together won’t heal.
Ultimately, planting arborvitae too closely may cause your trees to suffer from malformation, dehydration and pest infestations, so extreme caution should be used when planting in order to ensure that these issues don’t arise.
What is the time of year to plant arborvitae?
The best time to plant arborvitae is in late spring or early summer when the soil temperature is warm, typically between April and June. Planting in late summer or early fall can be successful as long as there is still enough time for the plants to establish their root systems before winter sets in.
Since arborvitae is an evergreen, it will benefit from an early planting before the days get shorter and colder. When planting, ensure that the soil is well drained, as arborvitae does not like wet, soggy soil.
It is also important to add mulch around any recently planted trees to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Finally, make sure to water your trees regularly and deeply for the first two years following the initial planting to help it establish a strong root system.
How often should you water newly planted arborvitae?
When you’re first planting an arborvitae, water it the day of, and then continue to water it 1-2 times per week for the next 3-4 weeks. After this time period, you can begin to water the arborvitae less and less, about once every two weeks.
Once the arborvitae has become established in the area, usually after three months, you can water it even less, especially if it’s in a more moist area. It’s important to note that, when watering an arborvitae, you should water to saturation (when water begins to run off).
If you want to give the arborvitae a thorough watering, let the water run off, wait about 20 minutes and then water again. This way you can be sure that the moisture is getting all the way down to the roots.
During the hotter months of the year, you may even need to water your arborvitae every 7-10 days, depending on where it’s planted, and depending on the level of heat and sunlight to which it’s exposed.
What can I use instead of arborvitae?
If you are looking for an evergreen as a substitute for an arborvitae, one option is boxwood (Buxus). This smaller evergreen shrub is an evergreen that can be used as a hedge and is an effective solution when the arborvitae doesn’t fit the scale or context of the design, or the climate isn’t suited to it.
Boxwood is an attractive and easy to maintain option that will provide a year-round visual interest. Other low-growing evergreen shrubs that could be used as substitutes include Ligustrum, yew, and Euonymus.
You may also choose to use a deciduous shrub or tree instead of arborvitae for some landscape designs. Examples of deciduous shrubs and trees which could work as substitutes include Apple trees, Dogwood, Maple, and others.
Do emerald green arborvitae have invasive roots?
No, emerald green arborvitae typically do not have invasive roots. With mature plants, their roots are quite shallow, ranging from just a few inches below the soil surface to 12 to 15 inches deep. While the roots of an emerald green arborvitae can spread wide, their root system is generally not intrusive and rarely causes problems, such as damaging nearby foundations.
When planting emerald green arborvitae, it’s important to consider spacing and be sure to give them plenty of room to grow. Planting at least four feet apart is recommended to allow the plants enough room to develop their roots and flourish.
With proper spacing between them, there will be minimal risk of competing roots between neighboring plants.
Which grows faster Leyland cypress or green giant arborvitae?
The answer to which grows faster—Leyland cypress or green giant arborvitae—will depend on the conditions under which they are growing. On average, Leyland cypress grows faster than green giant arborvitae, with a growth rate of 2 to 3 feet per year.
However, this assumes that the plant has the best possible growing conditions and adequate care and maintenance. In less than ideal conditions, green giant arborvitae may outpace the growth rate of the Leyland cypress—up to 1 to 2 feet per year.
It’s important to note that too much watering and fertilizer can also stunt growth. Therefore, it is best to check planting instructions to see which variety is best suited for your area.
What are the trees for privacy fence?
Depending on the type of look and privacy you are looking for. Some popular choices are cedar, spruce, and elder trees.
Cedar trees can give your backyard a rustic, natural privacy fence. Cedar grows quickly, which makes it more affordable, and it has natural oils that make it rot-resistant and insect-resistant. It also has a nice, clean scent and can last up to 30 years with regular maintenance.
Spruce trees are a more affordable option, with a dense and thick foliage that can provide a lot of privacy. It grows more slowly, so it can take longer to establish a privacy fence and it doesn’t last as long as some other varieties, but it is still an attractive and effective fencing option.
Elder trees are a fast-growing option that can quickly create a privacy block in your backyard. Elder trees can be trimmed and shaped easily, so you can get the look you want for your fence. However, it does require more maintenance than some other varieties, since it provides shade that can attract pests and it drops its leaves during the fall and summer.
No matter which variety you choose, all of these trees have the potential to provide a beautiful, natural privacy fence for your backyard.
What are Neighbours be gone trees?
Neighbours be gone trees are special trees designed to help screen out unwanted views and create privacy. They are a relatively new solution to the problem of feeling trapped in a yard or having to put up with an intrusive neighbour.
They come in a variety of varieties, ranging from traditional evergreens to low maintenance shrubs to fast-growing trees. Each type of tree has its advantages, depending on the size of your landscape and the amount of privacy you are looking for.
The evergreens are excellent for providing year-round privacy and help block the view to your property, while the shrubs and bushes are often used to separate two properties, creating a living fence.
The fast-growing trees are ideal for creating a shorter-term solution in difficult-to-shield areas. Overall, Neighbours be gone trees can be a great solution for providing natural screening and privacy with minimal maintenance.
How fast do arborvitae trees grow?
Arborvitae trees grow at an average rate of about 3-4 feet per year. However, under the right conditions, they can grow as much as 6 feet per year. The environmental factors that affect how quickly an arborvitae grows include soil quality, the amount of sunlight it gets, the frequency of watering, the amount of fertilizer applied, and the amount of protection from wind and other elements.
When planted in prime conditions with proper care and maintenance, arborvitae trees can reach a mature height of up to 50 feet in about 20 years. If allowed to fully reach their potential, an arborvitae may reach as much as 80 feet in ideal conditions.
How close to a fence can you plant a tree?
When planting a tree near a fence, it is important to consider how tall the tree will grow and how close the tree’s roots will be to the fence. In general, it is recommended to plant a tree at least 15 feet away from any fence or other structure.
However, this distance can vary depending on the type of tree, how tall it will grow, and the type of fence.
The roots of the tree can spread outward anywhere from three to five times the diameter of the tree’s canopy. If the tree’s root system can potentially reach the fence, planting any closer to the fence may lead to damage to the fence or the tree itself.
The roots could weaken the fence, leading to fence posts becoming loose, gates becoming misaligned, or the fence becoming structurally compromised. Damage to the tree could include girdling of the roots, root disruption, and decreased stability.
In addition to root spread, the height of the tree should also be a consideration when planting near a fence. If the fence is not tall enough to allow the tree to grow without obstruction, planting too close may create long-term problems.
If you can’t provide enough space for the tree to grow, then you may need to consider a different location.
In conclusion, the best way to safely plant a tree near a fence is to provide enough space for the roots to grow without disruption and to allow the tree to reach its full potential without obstructing a fence.
While 15 feet is recommended, this may vary depending on the type of tree, size, and fence.
What is killing my emerald green arborvitae?
It is possible that your emerald green arborvitae is being killed by one of several possible issues. These include insect infestations, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, overcrowding, or even the wrong amount of light or precipitation.
Insect infestations can cause browning, yellowing, and defoliation of the needles and growth tips, and can often be identified by the presence of webs or scales on the foliage. Diseases caused by fungi and bacteria can cause similar symptoms, as can nutrient deficiencies.
Overcrowding can lead to decreased air circulation, which can increase the risk of diseases. Too much direct light or excessive heat and drought can also lead to yellowing and wilting of the needles, while overwatering can lead to root rot.
An evaluation by a certified arborist is the best way to identify and address the exact cause of your emerald green arborvitae’s death.
How do you keep arborvitae emerald greens small?
Arborvitae emerald greens are a popular evergreen conifer that are prized for their bright green foliage. Keeping these shrubs small and compact may require pruning and trimming. Start by removing any branches or growth that are growing away from the center, as this could affect the overall size of the shrub and cause it to become lopsided.
Once the interior growth is under control, follow up with shape pruning to maintain the desired size of the shrub. This includes removing any wayward branches and cutting back the sides of the shrub to maintain it’s oval shape.
Lastly, it’s important to fertilize the arborvitae with a slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth and prevent it from becoming too tall or wide. Essentially, the key to keeping arborvitae emerald greens small is consistent pruning and fertilization.
How can I make my emerald green arborvitae grow faster?
The best way to make an emerald green arborvitae grow faster is to ensure that it is planted in an area that offers plenty of sunlight and a well-draining soil. Once the plant is established and has access to adequate sunlight and moisture, it should begin to grow faster.
To ensure that the arborvitae has access to plenty of nutrients and water, applying a balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 formula once per season and deeply watering it 1-2 times per week can be beneficial.
Pruning away any broken or unsightly branches can also help to promote adequate growth, as it allows the energy of the plant to be allocated to other healthy branches and nourishing them. Additionally, adding a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant during the warmer months can help to conserve moisture and improve the soil structure, which can help it to grow faster.