I'm looking to add some evergreen privacy shrubs to my yard. Are arborvitae trees a good, fast-growing option?

Yes—arborvitae are one of the most popular choices for evergreen privacy screens, but whether they’re the best choice depends on how much space you have and how quickly you need coverage.

Why arborvitae are a good privacy option

Pros:

• Evergreen: They provide year-round screening.
• Dense foliage: They naturally form a solid green wall when planted in a row.
• Low maintenance: Once established, they generally need little pruning.
• Fast-growing varieties exist: Especially Green Giant Arborvitae, which can grow around 3 feet per year in good conditions.
• Adaptable: They handle a range of soils as long as drainage is decent and typically do best in full sun to partial shade.

The big decision: which arborvitae?

1. Green Giant arborvitae — best for fast privacy

• Growth: very fast (often up to ~3 feet/year once established)
• Mature size: roughly 40–60 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide
• Best for: larger yards, property lines, blocking neighbors or roads
• Downside: can become too large for a small yard if planted too close to structures

2. Emerald Green arborvitae — best for smaller yards

• Growth: slower, often about 1–2 feet/year depending on conditions
• Mature size: around 10–15 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide
• Best for: narrow side yards, fences, formal hedges
• Downside: slower to create a tall privacy wall

Things to watch out for

• Deer: Arborvitae foliage is attractive to deer; Green Giant tends to fare better than many other arborvitae types.
• Dry conditions: Newly planted trees need consistent watering while roots establish.
• Spacing: Don’t plant them too close together or too close to fences/structures. Green Giants especially need room to reach their mature width.

If you’re in the Northeast (including New Jersey), Green Giant arborvitae is often the go-to choice for a fast privacy screen, while Emerald Green is better if your yard is tighter.

If you tell me your yard size, desired privacy height, sun exposure, and whether you have deer, I can suggest the best variety and spacing.

Yes, arborvitae (Thuja ) are widely considered the gold standard for quick, living privacy screens , but whether they are the right choice depends heavily on your specific space, climate, and local wildlife.

The Pros: Why Choose Arborvitae?

• Fast Growth: Certain varieties like the 'Green Giant' can rocket upward by 3 to 5 feet per year under optimal conditions, quickly turning into a massive green wall.
• Year-Round Coverage: As dense evergreens, they keep their lush green or blue-green color through all four seasons, blocking unsightly views and reducing street noise.
• Low Maintenance: They naturally grow in tight, upright, pyramidal or columnar shapes that usually require little to no shearing or formal pruning.
• Narrow Footprint: Many cultivars (like 'Emerald Green ' or 'American Pillar') stay relatively slim (3 to 5 feet wide), making them ideal for narrow side yards or property lines where space is tight.

The Cons: Potential Drawbacks

• Deer Love Them: Depending on the variety (especially standard Thuja occidentalis types like 'Emerald Green '), hungry winter deer view arborvitae as a high-end salad bar. 'Green Giant ' has better deer resistance, but starving deer will still browse them.
• Size Management: Fast-growing giants get massive. A 'Green Giant' can eventually reach 50 to 60 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. If you don't have the acreage, they can outgrow their welcome.
• Weather and Weight: Heavy wet snow or ice storms can splay, bend, or snap the top-heavy or multi-stemmed branches of some varieties.
• Monoculture Vulnerability: Planting a long, identical single-file row of the exact same tree creates an ecosystem vulnerable to pests (like bagworms) or a single blighted tree ruining the whole uniform look.

Popular Varieties at a Glance

• 'Green Giant': The powerhouse. Grows 3 -- 5 ft/year, reaches 40 -- 60 ft tall. Best for large boundaries and rapid, massive privacy.
• 'Emerald Green' (Smaragd): The compact choice. Grows slower (1 -- 2 ft/year initially, then much slower), maxing out around 10 -- 15 ft tall and 3 -- 4 ft wide. Perfect for small urban/suburban lots.
• 'American Pillar' / 'Full Speed A Hedge': The modern tight-space favorite. Grows fast (3--4 ft/year) but stays exceptionally narrow (3--4 ft wide) while reaching 20 -- 30 ft tall.

Community Real Talk

“I'd recommend against the massive monoculture wall as a screen. Plant a mixed, staggered border of evergreen shrubs (not just conifers).”

“We did ninebark and bayberry. They're incredibly fast growers and gave us privacy way faster than the arborvitae we planted (that then died and needed to be replaced).”

To help narrow down the best option for your yard, tell me:

• Roughly how tall of a privacy screen do you need?
• Do you have issues with deer in your neighborhood?
• How much width/space do you have along the property line?

Yes—but arborvitae can be a mixed choice in Florida, especially around the Gulf Coast.

If you're in the Belleair/Clearwater area, I'd not automatically choose the classic Emerald Green arborvitae. Arborvitae generally prefer well-drained soil, regular moisture, and can struggle with intense heat, drought, and salt exposure. UF/IFAS does list some arborvitae types as usable in Florida, but the specific cultivar matters.

If you want arborvitae

Green Giant arborvitae is the one I'd investigate first. It's genuinely fast-growing—UF/IFAS describes it as capable of adding more than 24 inches per year—and it can eventually become a very tall, dense privacy screen.

The catch: Green Giant can become enormous, potentially 50–60 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide. That's wonderful for a large property but excessive for many residential yards.

Other Florida-friendly options I'd consider

Depending on your desired height and conditions, I'd also look at:

• Podocarpus — excellent evergreen screening plant, particularly if you want a more manicured hedge.
• Yaupon holly — tough, Florida-native, and adaptable; good for a more natural-looking screen.
• Clusia — particularly attractive for warm, coastal Florida and excellent for dense privacy.
• Large loropetalum cultivars — fast-growing and can make a substantial screen while adding flowers/color. UF/IFAS specifically mentions larger loropetalums as privacy-wall plants.

For a Florida privacy screen, UF/IFAS recommends prioritizing dense foliage, upright growth, evergreen foliage, appropriate mature height, and fast growth rather than simply choosing the fastest-growing plant.

My take: If you tell me roughly how tall you want the screen (6, 8, 10, 15+ ft), how much sun it gets, and whether you're close enough to the Gulf to get salt spray, I can narrow it down to the 3–4 best shrubs for your yard.

Yes, arborvitae (Thuja ) are widely considered one of the absolute best choices for an evergreen privacy screen , but whether they are "fast-growing" depends entirely on the specific variety you choose.

The Pros: Why Choose Arborvitae?

• Year-Round Privacy: Their dense, overlapping foliage provides a thick green wall that doesn't drop needles in the winter.
• Natural Fence Alternative: They are much softer and often more affordable than building a wooden or vinyl fence.
• Noise and Wind Reduction: A tight row of arborvitae does a fantastic job of dampening road noise and acting as a windbreak.

The Cons: What to Watch Out For

• Deer Love Them: Depending on your local wildlife population, hungry deer can treat arborvitae like an all-you-can-eat buffet, especially during winter.
• Weak Wood/Snow Load: Heavy wet snow or ice storms can cause multi-stemmed or tall, narrow varieties to splay, split, or snap.
• Not Completely Maintenance-Free: They need consistent watering during their first year or two, and dry spells can cause interior browning.

Popular Varieties: Fast-Growing vs. Compact

If speed is your main priority, pick your cultivar carefully:

1. Green Giant (Thuja plicata × standishii): The undisputed king of speed. Under good conditions, it can skyrocket 3 to 5 feet per year , eventually reaching 40 to 50 feet tall. Note: It gets quite wide (12 to 20 feet), so it needs plenty of room.
2. American Pillar / Full Speed a Hedge (Thuja occidentalis): A fantastic narrower alternative that still packs a punch, growing upwards of 3 feet per year while maintaining a tight, slender footprint ideal for smaller yards.
3. Emerald Green (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'): Very popular for tight spaces because it stays compact (3 to 4 feet wide and 10 to 15 feet tall), but it is a much slower grower (only about 6 to 12 inches a year).

“They're relatively cheap, grow and fill in fast.”

“Make sure you get the right one. Look at the junior giant arborvitae , and the Niagara arborvitae.”

If you'd like to narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• Roughly how tall do you need the privacy screen to be?
• How much space do you have width-wise along the property line?
• What USDA hardiness zone or general region are you located in?

Yes, arborvitae (specifically varieties like the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae and the American Pillar Arborvitae ) are among the best and fastest-growing evergreen options for creating a living privacy screen . Once established, certain varieties can sprint skyward by 3 to 5 feet per year , rapidly forming a dense, green wall that blocks out neighbors, wind, and noise.

Popular Varieties & Comparison

Pros of Growing Arborvitae

• Rapid Seclusion: Varieties like the Green Giant provide an exceptionally fast visual barrier compared to most other landscape trees.
• Year-Round Cover: They retain their vibrant green color through all four seasons, offering uninterrupted privacy.
• Low Upkeep: Most cultivars maintain a naturally neat, symmetrical, pyramidal shape without requiring regular shearing or pruning.
• Adaptability: They tolerate a wide range of soil types (from clay to sandy loam) once they settle in.

Cons and Potential Challenges

• Deer Grazing: Hungry deer love munching on arborvitae foliage during winter months, which can hollow out the lower branches if left unprotected.
• Size Management: Unpruned Green Giants get very large—both tall and wide—meaning they can eventually crowd small yards if not matched properly to the space.
• Weather Stress: Heavy, wet winter snow or severe ice storms can occasionally bend or split the top leaders of faster-growing, softer varieties.

“Looking for privacy in a compact space? Emerald Green Arborvitae are a fantastic choice. They stay slim, three to four feet wide, and can grow up to ten to fifteen feet tall. They keep their lush green color year-round and provide privacy in every season.”

“If you really want an arborvitae you should consider the full speed a hedge American pillar. Columnar growth but much hardier and faster growing than the emerald greens.”

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• How tall do you need the privacy screen to be?
• How much ground width do you have available along your property line?
• What USDA hardiness zone or general region are you located in?

Yes — arborvitae are one of the better choices for an evergreen privacy screen, especially in Maryland. But the variety matters a lot.

🌲 The two I'd consider

Thuja 'Green Giant'

• Fast-growing: commonly around 3–5 feet per year once established.
• Can eventually become very large—roughly 30–50+ feet tall and 12–20 feet wide depending on conditions.
• Best if you have a large yard and plenty of room.
• Likes full sun; Maryland Extension recommends at least about 4 hours of direct sun for good growth.

'Emerald Green' arborvitae

• Much more compact: roughly 15–20 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide at maturity.
• Growth is slower, generally around 1–2 feet per year.
• Excellent for a narrow fence line where Green Giants would eventually take over too much space.
• The tradeoff is that you'll wait longer for substantial privacy.

One important Maryland consideration: deer 🦌

If deer regularly visit your yard, I'd be cautious with Emerald Green and other Eastern arborvitae. Maryland Extension notes that deer find these plants highly palatable and can permanently remove lower foliage through browsing.

Also, rather than planting 20 identical arborvitae in a straight row, I'd consider mixing species. Maryland Extension specifically recommends diverse privacy screens because one pest, disease, or environmental problem can otherwise wipe out the entire screen.

My quick recommendation: If you tell me approximately how many feet of fence you want to screen, how much depth you have available, and whether you get full sun or shade, I can suggest the best arborvitae variety and spacing—and a couple of alternatives that may work even better.

Yes—arborvitae are one of the most popular evergreen privacy plants, and for many yards they're an excellent choice. Whether they're the best choice depends on your climate, available space, and how quickly you want a screen.

Why arborvitae are a good privacy option

• Evergreen: They stay green year-round, providing privacy in every season.
• Fast-growing: Many varieties grow 1–3 feet per year, while vigorous cultivars like 'Green Giant' can grow 3–5 feet annually under ideal conditions.
• Dense foliage: They create an effective visual and wind barrier.
• Relatively low maintenance: Once established, they typically need only occasional watering during drought and light pruning if you want to maintain a specific shape.

Things to consider

Arborvitae aren't perfect for every location:

• Choose the right variety. A 'Green Giant' can eventually reach 40–60 feet tall, while 'Emerald Green' stays much narrower and around 10–15 feet tall.
• Plant with proper spacing. Crowding them together may give quicker initial coverage but can lead to poor airflow and long-term problems.
• Sunlight matters. Most arborvitae perform best in full sun. In heavy shade they often become thin and lose the dense appearance that makes them good privacy plants.
• Watch for deer. In areas with heavy deer populations, arborvitae can be a favorite food unless protected. Bagworms and winter burn can also be issues in some regions.

Popular varieties

• 'Green Giant' – Best if you have plenty of room and want the fastest privacy screen.
• 'Emerald Green' – Better for smaller yards, tighter property lines, or a more formal hedge.
• 'American Pillar' – A narrow, fast-growing option for limited spaces.

If arborvitae aren't ideal

Depending on your site, you might also consider:

• Eastern red cedar or junipers (more drought tolerant)
• Holly (good for many regions, slower but very dense)
• Wax myrtle (excellent in warmer climates)
• Skip laurel (good where winters are milder and partial shade is common)

If you tell me:

• your USDA hardiness zone (or your city/state),
• how tall you want the privacy screen,
• how much sun the planting area gets, and
• approximately how many feet of hedge you're planting,

I can recommend the best arborvitae variety—or suggest an alternative that may perform even better in your yard.

Yes, arborvitae (Thuja ) are widely considered the gold standard for living privacy fences, but whether they are a "good" option depends heavily on which variety you choose and the space you have.

The Pros of Arborvitae

• Year-Round Privacy: Their dense, scale-like evergreen foliage provides a thick, solid screen 365 days a year.
• Natural Shape: Most varieties grow in a tight, formal, upright pyramid or columnar habit naturally, meaning they rarely require pruning or shaping.
• Space-Saving Profiles: Many cultivars have a very narrow footprint compared to traditional shade trees, fitting neatly along property lines and fences.

Choosing the Right Variety (Speed vs. Size)

1. Green Giant: The absolute champion if you need fast growth . It rockets upward by 3 to 5 ft per year and matures into a massive tree (40 to 60 ft tall and 12 to 20 ft wide). Best for large yards and heavy-duty screening.
2. Emerald Green: A classic, slower-growing choice that adds about 6 to 12 inches (sometimes up to 18 inches) per year, maxing out at a manageable 10 to 15 ft tall and 3 to 4 ft wide. Best for tight spaces, small suburban lots, or foundation lines.
3. American Pillar ('Full Speed A Hedge'): A newer favorite that bridges the gap, growing up to 3 ft a year while maintaining a very slim 3 to 5 ft width. Best for fast height without a massive horizontal footprint.

Potential Drawbacks to Keep in Mind

• Deer Love Them: Depending on your local wildlife pressure, hungry deer view arborvitae as a winter buffet—especially standard Emerald Greens.
• Snow and Ice Load: Heavy wet snow can splay or snap the tops of multi-stemmed or narrower varieties, though sturdier cultivars bounce back better.
• Water Requirements: They are not fully drought-tolerant until deeply established and need consistent moisture—particularly a good soaking in late autumn before the ground freezes, because evergreens keep transpiring moisture all winter.

If you'd like to narrow it down, tell me:

• How tall do you need the privacy screen to be?
• How much horizontal space (width) do you have along the property line?
• What USDA hardiness zone or region are you located in?

I can recommend the exact cultivar and spacing guide for your yard.

Yes—arborvitae are one of the most popular evergreen privacy plants, and many varieties are excellent if you want a dense, year-round screen. The key is choosing the right variety for your space, because growth rate and mature size vary dramatically.

Here are the main pros and cons:

Why arborvitae are a good choice

• Evergreen: They keep their foliage all year, providing privacy even in winter.
• Dense growth: Many cultivars naturally form a thick screen with little pruning.
• Fast growth (depending on variety):
  • 'Green Giant' can grow roughly 3–5 feet per year once established under good conditions.
  • 'Emerald Green' is much slower, often around 6–12 inches per year, but stays narrower and more manageable.
• Relatively low maintenance compared with many hedges if planted in the right location.

Potential drawbacks

• Need adequate sun. Most perform best in full sun and become thinner in heavy shade.
• Deer love them. In areas with high deer pressure, young arborvitae often need protection.
• Water matters. They need consistent watering while getting established and don't like prolonged drought or poorly drained soil.
• Spacing is important. Planting too close together can lead to crowding and reduced airflow later.

A few common choices:

If you're in Central Texas (Temple area), arborvitae can be more challenging than they are in cooler, more humid climates. Summer heat, drought, and alkaline soils can stress some varieties, making irrigation and site selection especially important. In that region, alternatives like certain junipers or wax myrtle are often considered because they handle heat better.

If you tell me:

• your USDA hardiness zone (or just your city),
• how tall you want the screen,
• whether the area gets full sun or shade, and
• how much width you have,

I can recommend the best privacy shrubs or trees for your specific yard.

Yes, arborvitaes (Thuja species) are widely considered the gold standard for quick, living privacy screens . They are evergreen, relatively low-maintenance, and form dense, symmetrical green walls.

However, whether they are a "good" option depends heavily on your specific yard, climate, and how fast you need that privacy.

The Pros of Arborvitae

• Fast Growth: Certain varieties (like the 'Green Giant') can shoot up by 3--5 ft per year under ideal conditions, making them one of the fastest privacy solutions available.
• Year-Round Coverage: They maintain their lush, dense, scale-like green foliage through all four seasons, effectively blocking out neighbors and reducing road noise.
• Space-Saving: Many popular cultivars have a tight, narrow, columnar habit, meaning they grow tall without taking up a massive footprint in a smaller suburban yard.
• Cost-Effective: Planting a row of arborvitae is often significantly cheaper than putting up a traditional wooden privacy fence.

The Cons & Potential Pitfalls

• Deer Love Them: Depending on your local wildlife pressure, hungry deer view arborvitae (especially Thuja occidentalis types like 'Emerald Green') as a winter delicacy and can strip the lower branches bare.
• Not Indestructible to Weather: Heavy wet snow or ice storms can splay or snap the tops of multi-stemmed or narrower varieties, though 'Green Giant ' holds up better than most.
• Water Demanding Early On: While somewhat drought-tolerant once deeply rooted, they do not tolerate prolonged dry spells well—especially during their first couple of years or going into a freeze in the autumn.
• No Regeneration from Bare Wood: Unlike some deciduous privacy shrubs (like privet or boxwood), if you prune an arborvitae back hard into old, brown, bare wood, it will not flush out new growth from that spot.

Popular Varieties to Consider

1. 'Green Giant' (Thuja x 'Green Giant'): The ultimate choice for speed and size. It grows exceptionally fast (3--5 ft per year) and matures to 40--50 ft tall and 12--18 ft wide. Best for large boundaries where you have plenty of horizontal space.
2. 'Emerald Green' (Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green'): Ideal for smaller yards or tight borders. It has a much slower growth rate (1--2 ft per year) and maxes out at a tidy 12--15 ft tall and 3--4 ft wide, requiring virtually no trimming.
3. 'American Pillar ' / Full Speed a Hedge (Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'): A newer favorite that grows rapidly (up to 3 ft a year) while keeping a very narrow, space-saving columnar footprint similar to a high-speed green pillar.

Community Experiences

I found Emerald Green arborvitae to be fantastic for tight side yards where a fence wasn't allowed to be super tall, but I definitely had to spray them with liquid fence in the winter because the deer treated them like a salad bar.

If you have the space for Green Giants , they really do grow like wildfire. Just make sure you water them deeply during their first summer, or you'll get massive interior browning right when you want them looking nice.

If you'd like to narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• Roughly how tall do you need the privacy screen to be?
• How much space do you have along the property line (width constraints)?
• What USDA hardiness zone or region are you in?