‘Green Giant’ is one of the fastest ways to block a view. It can grow 3 feet a year, and it eventually reaches 40 feet or more. That speed is exactly why green giant arborvitae spacing matters so much. Plant too close and the trees crowd each other out; plant too far apart and you’ll wait years for gaps to close.
Here are the spacing numbers for each type of screen, plus how far to stay from fences, houses, and property lines.
How Big Does Green Giant Get?
Before choosing a distance, picture the mature tree. A typical ‘Green Giant’ grows 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 20 feet wide at the base. It forms a broad pyramid, so it’s much wider at the bottom than at the top.
It grows well in USDA zones 5 to 8 and tolerates many soils, as long as they drain. You can find more detail on the North Carolina Extension Gardener’s Green Giant page.
Green Giant Arborvitae Spacing Chart
- Single row, fast screen: 5 to 6 feet apart, center to center. Gaps close in roughly 3 to 5 years.
- Single row, long-term health: 8 to 10 feet apart. Trees have room to fill out without fighting for light.
- Staggered double row: 10 to 12 feet apart within each row, with rows 6 to 8 feet apart and trees offset in a zigzag.
- Single specimen: At least 15 to 20 feet from other trees.
Always measure from the center of one trunk to the center of the next. Green giant arborvitae spacing is never measured from the edge of the foliage.
Why Not Plant Closer?
It’s tempting to plant every 3 feet for instant privacy. However, crowded trees compete for water and sunlight. The lower branches that touch neighbors often turn brown and drop. After 10 years, you may have a tall hedge with bare, ugly lower trunks.
Tight spacing also traps humidity, which makes fungal diseases more likely. Air movement between trees is healthy.
The Staggered Row Trick
If you have the depth, a zigzag double row is the best of both worlds. It fills in almost as fast as tight spacing, yet each tree has room to grow. Plant the first row, then offset the second row so each tree sits behind a gap in the front.
Distance From Fences, Houses, and Lines
Green Giant’s width catches people off guard. Plan for these minimums:
- Fence or property line: 6 to 8 feet. Otherwise, half the tree ends up in your neighbor’s yard.
- House foundation: 10 to 15 feet.
- Driveways and sidewalks: 6 to 8 feet.
- Power lines: Don’t plant under them at all. Mature trees will reach the wires.
Check local rules too. Some towns and homeowners associations limit hedge height near property lines.
How to Plant for Fast Growth
- Mark each spot with flags or spray paint before digging.
- Dig holes two to three times wider than the root ball, but no deeper.
- Set each tree so the top of the root ball sits slightly above grade.
- Backfill with native soil and water deeply.
- Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch in a wide ring, keeping it away from the trunk.
Watering the First Two Years
New trees need about an inch of water per week, more in summer heat. A soaker hose running along the row is an easy way to keep them watered. Furthermore, evergreens lose moisture all winter. Water deeply in late fall until the ground freezes, as part of your fall garden chores.
It’s easy to forget the hedge once cold weather arrives. Adding “water new evergreens” to your home winterizing checklist helps prevent winter burn.
Is Green Giant Right for South American Gardens?
‘Green Giant’ is a hybrid bred for temperate climates. It can grow in cooler, higher regions of South America, such as southern Chile or the mountains of southern Brazil. In hot, humid lowlands, though, it tends to struggle. Gardeners there usually have better luck with local hedge plants suited to tropical heat.
FAQ
How fast will a Green Giant hedge fill in?
At 5 to 6 feet apart, most hedges close gaps in three to five years, depending on starting size and care.
Can I plant Green Giant 3 feet apart?
You can, but that green giant arborvitae spacing leads to crowding, browning lower branches, and more disease within a decade.
Does Green Giant need pruning?
Not usually. If you want to limit height, trim the top in late spring once the tree reaches your desired height.
