The Best Arborvitae for Privacy Screens
If you want fast, dense, low-maintenance privacy, arborvitae are the best trees you can plant. They stay green year-round, grow quickly, and require almost no care once established. But not every variety is right for every yard — the best choice depends on your space, your zone, and how fast you need screening.
Here’s the quick answer before we go deep:
| Variety | Best For | Height | Spacing | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Giant | Large properties, fast screening | 20–40 ft | 5–6 ft | 3–5 ft/yr |
| Emerald Green | Tight spaces, driveways, urban lots | 10–15 ft | 2–3 ft | 6–9 in/yr |
| Elegantissima | Mid-size yards, color interest | 12–15 ft | 3–4 ft | 12–18 in/yr |
Green Giant Arborvitae: Best for Large Properties
Green Giant is the gold standard for fast privacy on large properties. It grows 3–5 feet per year — faster than almost any other evergreen — and reaches 20–40 feet tall at maturity with a dense, pyramidal form that stays full from top to bottom.
Why Green Giant wins for large-scale privacy:
- Fastest growth rate of any arborvitae — you’ll have real screening within 2–3 years
- Naturally dense — no shearing needed to maintain a solid screen
- Deer resistant (important for rural and suburban properties)
- Tolerates clay soil, wet conditions, and wind better than most evergreens
- Hardy to Zone 5 (some sources say Zone 4 with protection)
Green Giant spacing for privacy:
Plant 5–6 feet apart for a solid hedge. Branches will touch and interlock within 2–3 growing seasons. For a windbreak, space 8–10 feet apart.
⚠️ Important: Green Giant gets 12–20 feet wide at maturity. Plant at least 8 feet from fences, buildings, or property lines.
Shop Green Giant Arborvitae → Green Giant Growing Guide →
Emerald Green Arborvitae: Best for Tight Spaces
Emerald Green (also called Smaragd) is the most popular arborvitae for urban and suburban lots. It stays narrow — only 3–4 feet wide — which means you can plant it close to fences, driveways, and property lines without it taking over.
Why Emerald Green wins for tight spaces:
- Stays narrow — perfect for side yards, driveways, and small lots
- Holds rich emerald-green color all winter (no bronzing)
- Hardy to Zone 3 — one of the coldest-hardy arborvitae available
- Dense from top to bottom with no shearing needed
- Slower growth means less maintenance long-term
Emerald Green spacing for privacy:
Plant 2–3 feet apart for a tight formal hedge. At 3–4 feet apart you get a slightly more relaxed look that still screens well within 3–4 years.
Shop Emerald Green Arborvitae → Emerald Green Growing Guide →
Elegantissima Arborvitae: Best for Mid-Size Yards with Color
Elegantissima is the in-between option — taller than Emerald Green, narrower than Green Giant, and with a distinctive silvery-gold foliage color that sets it apart from every other arborvitae. If you want a privacy screen that’s also a landscape feature, this is your tree.
Why Elegantissima wins for mid-size yards:
- 12–15 feet tall — enough for real privacy without overwhelming a smaller yard
- 4–6 feet wide — narrower than Green Giant, wider than Emerald Green
- Silvery-gold foliage color is unique and eye-catching year-round
- Drought tolerant once established — great for drier sites
- Columnar form stays tidy without pruning
Elegantissima spacing for privacy:
Plant 3–4 feet apart for a solid screen. For a mixed hedge with color contrast, alternate Elegantissima with Emerald Green every other tree.
Shop Elegantissima Arborvitae → Elegantissima Growing Guide →
Side-by-Side Comparison: Which Privacy Arborvitae Is Right for You?
| Feature | Green Giant | Emerald Green | Elegantissima |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature height | 20–40 ft | 10–15 ft | 12–15 ft |
| Mature width | 12–20 ft | 3–4 ft | 4–6 ft |
| Growth rate | 3–5 ft/yr | 6–9 in/yr | 12–18 in/yr |
| Privacy spacing | 5–6 ft | 2–3 ft | 3–4 ft |
| Hardiness zones | 5–8 | 3–8 | 5–8 |
| Foliage color | Rich green | Emerald green (no winter bronze) | Silvery-gold |
| Deer resistant | Yes | Moderate | Yes |
| Drought tolerant | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Best for | Large properties | Tight spaces, urban lots | Mid-size yards, color interest |
Choose by Situation
I have a large rural property and want fast screening
→ Green Giant at 5–6 ft spacing. Nothing grows faster or denser. You’ll have real privacy in 2–3 years.
I have a narrow side yard or urban lot
→ Emerald Green at 2–3 ft spacing. The narrow form means you can plant close to fences and structures without problems.
I want privacy but also want the hedge to look interesting
→ Elegantissima at 3–4 ft spacing, or alternate Elegantissima and Emerald Green for a two-tone textured hedge.
I’m in Zone 3 or 4
→ Emerald Green is your best bet — it’s hardy to Zone 3 and one of the most cold-tolerant arborvitae available. Green Giant is borderline in Zone 4.
I want a layered planting (tall screen + low border)
→ Green Giant in back + Golden Globe in front. The Green Giants handle upper privacy while the golden globes create a finished border at 3–4 feet.
How Many Trees Do You Need?
Formula: Linear feet ÷ spacing + 1 = number of trees
- 100 ft hedge, Green Giant at 5 ft spacing: 21 trees
- 50 ft hedge, Emerald Green at 3 ft spacing: 18 trees
- 75 ft hedge, Elegantissima at 4 ft spacing: 20 trees
For a full spacing calculator and variety-by-variety breakdown, see our Arborvitae Spacing Guide.
Planting Tips for a Successful Privacy Screen
- Dig wide, not deep. The hole should be 2–3x the width of the root ball but only as deep as the root ball. Never bury the root flare.
- Mulch immediately. 2–3 inches of wood chip mulch around each tree retains moisture and cuts watering needs by 30–50%.
- Water consistently for the first season. Newly planted arborvitae are not drought tolerant. Water every 2–3 days for the first 8 weeks.
- Don’t fertilize at planting. Wait until spring of year 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest-growing arborvitae for privacy?
Green Giant is by far the fastest, growing 3–5 feet per year. It creates a solid privacy screen within 2–3 years when planted at 5–6 foot spacing.
What is the best arborvitae for a small yard?
Emerald Green. It stays only 3–4 feet wide at maturity, so it fits in tight spaces, along driveways, and close to fences without taking over.
How tall do privacy arborvitae get?
Green Giant reaches 20–40 feet. Emerald Green tops out at 10–15 feet. Elegantissima reaches 12–15 feet. All three provide effective privacy screening well before they reach mature height.
Do arborvitae stay green in winter?
Emerald Green holds its rich color all winter with no bronzing. Green Giant stays green with minimal bronzing. Elegantissima retains its silvery-gold color year-round.
Are arborvitae deer resistant?
Green Giant and Elegantissima are considered deer resistant. Emerald Green has moderate deer resistance — in areas with heavy deer pressure, consider protecting young trees with fencing or repellent spray.
Ready to Build Your Privacy Screen?
We grow all three privacy varieties right here at Weaver Family Farms Nursery and ship them ready to plant.
Shop Green Giant → Shop Emerald Green → Shop Elegantissima →
More Arborvitae Resources
Which Arborvitae Should I Plant? → Arborvitae Spacing Guide → How to Plant Arborvitae → Why Is My Arborvitae Turning Brown? →
