Arborvitae Tree Care, Bush and Shrub Care, Evergreen Care, Gardening Questions, Landscape and Garden Design

Arborvitae Hedge vs Fence: Why a Living Screen Beats Wood Every Time

#ProPlantTips - Arborvitae Hedge vs Fence? - Nature Hills Nursery

Justin Farrell | February 23, 2026

Lush row of arborvitae trees forming a natural green privacy hedge along a residential property line

Need some definition in your life? Privacy can range from castle walls to wispy, see-through screens. You can always go with the standard chain link fence, maybe upgrade to a white picket or expensive privacy fence, and rock walls are crazy expensive and heavy to build on your own.

For an amazing privacy evergreen that has it all - and provides all the benefits of a fence - the incredible Arborvitae will command attention!

Also known as Thuja, these pyramid-shaped, often narrow, or even columnar evergreens have soft, scale-like needles and are faster growing than other evergreen varieties on the market! Arborvitae means 'Tree of Life', and it will breathe new life into your landscape!

Benefits of a Living Arborvitae Hedge

Traditional wood privacy fence next to a green lawn, compared to a living Arborvitae hedge option

So are living plants that much better than a fence? No painting, little maintenance, respite for wildlife, and a friendly way to eliminate a neighbor's camper or their messy yard... a living hedge is something that you can both enjoy! (and maybe even split the cost?)

Less expensive vs. hardscape fence
Easy to grow and plant
Improves your home's resale value more than a fence
Less, if not the same, maintenance
More environmentally friendly and renewable vs. fencing
Wildlife-friendly - nesting, winter protection and cover
Both are great barriers to halt trespassers
Both provide beautiful property definition
Seclusion and peace that a wood or stone barrier can't provide
Better noise and wind reduction than fencing
Rustling sounds, fragrant, cooling evergreen greenery and motion for a full sensory experience

Many Uses of Arborvitae

Arborvitae works hard to expand the amount of livable space outside your home. Create the walls of garden rooms. Push your fencing beyond the perimeter, and carve out smaller areas within your property!

Excellent backdrops to perennial or shrub borders
Windbreak and block dust - keep trash out of your yard and slow the wind
Noise abatement - block out a busy road, a noisy neighbor, or block sound of a children's play area
Provide shade for you and your garden beds
Privacy and screening - seclusion from prying eyes
Hide eyesores - block ugly sheds, neighbors, utilitarian areas, garbage cans, or compost piles
Create outdoor rooms - Zen gardens, meditation rooms, a yoga spot, coffee nooks, and peaceful seating areas
Blur the line of sight of a neighbor's window

Private Backyard in a Hurry

Add a curved berm by mounding extra soil 2-3 feet high, or creating multiple tiers of high and low mounds. Plant your privacy trees in the berm, and you'll jump-start your privacy by several feet! This also works if you have compacted ground or poor drainage issues.
Buy the largest container sizes we have in stock for a big head start. Larger container sizes mean older trees with a larger root system.

Types of Arborvitae for Privacy Hedges

Pick an Arborvitae infographic comparing popular varieties by mature height, width, growth rate, and ideal uses for privacy hedges

The goal is to create a lush, solid screen without sacrificing healthy air circulation. Study the Plant Highlights on every product page to find the height and width your tree will reach at maturity.

North Pole® Arborvitae - Pointed and columnar, fast-growing, matures 10-15 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Doesn't need pruning for a fluffy, natural look.
Thin Man® Arborvitae - The ultimate narrow hedge variety, growing just 2-3 feet wide while reaching 10-15 feet tall. Its ultra-slim, columnar profile is perfect for tight spaces, narrow side yards, and urban lots where you still want a dense, solid privacy screen. Fast-growing and requires no shearing to hold its shape.
Green Giant Arborvitae - Big, fluffy, fast-growing to 40-50 feet tall and only 8-12 feet wide. Fast-growing once established. Shear or prune for a formal look.
Emerald Green Arborvitae - Bright green popular choice, 10-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Can be spaced close for immediate screening that needs no trimming.
Degroot's Spire Arborvitae - Dark green pyramid maturing 18-20 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Fantastic living walls, can be planted in pots, slower growers, and always stay skinny.
Techny Arborvitae - Dark green and compact, maturing 15-20 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.

Considerations When Choosing Your Arborvitae

What will the mature height and spread be?
How thick or dense are they?
How long do they live?
How fast do they grow?
How much care will they need?
Are they drought-tolerant?
Do they need full sun?

What Spacing Is Best?

Plant your Arborvitae in the center at their mature spread apart (or a bit closer), measuring from the center of one to the center of the next. Going by the smallest number listed for the mature spread. These plants, when planted in a dense row, will make a nice 2-sided green barrier that can be allowed to grow naturally without any pruning at all if you like.

You can also plant Arborvitae closer together than the estimated mature widths, so the plants will quickly grow together, making a solid screen. Finally, use an old farmer's trick. Stagger two rows in a zig-zagging planting pattern that fills in fast.

Fence In Your World With Greenery!

All of the NatureHills.com Arborvitae available today can be found by browsing our full Arborvitae collection! Filter the results by height, mature spread, and Growing Zone to find your perfect match. Always use Nature Hills Root Booster with important landscape trees and shrubs. This symbiotic formula supports the tiny feeder roots over the whole life of your plant and never wears out.

Create a landscape that reflects your personal style! Water, minimal pruning, fertilizer, and mulch are all it takes to create a lasting living fence for curb appeal and privacy! Get planting now and watch your fence grow better with each passing year!

Buy healthy, well-rooted, fast-growing privacy trees and shrubs from NatureHills.com! We make it so easy with expert shipping right to your doorstep.

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Compare Plants

Browse the features and specs side-by-side to find the best fit for your garden.

A table comparing the facets of 1 products
Facet	Full Speed A Hedge® Thin Man® Arborvitae View details
Rating
Rating	(1)
Type
Type	Tree
By
By	Nature Hills Nursery
Flower Color
Flower Color	Green
Growing Zone Range
Growing Zone Range	3-7
Mature Height
Mature Height	12-15 ft
Width
Width	2-3 ft
Price
Price	Regular price From $28⁴⁷

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant arborvitae for a dense hedge screen?

For a dense hedge screen, plant arborvitae 3-4 feet apart on center, measuring from trunk to trunk. If you want faster coverage, space them closer at 2-3 feet apart, though this requires more plants initially. Most arborvitae varieties thrive in zones 3-8 and should be planted in spring or early fall for best establishment. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture during the first growing season to ensure strong root development.

Which arborvitae variety is best for a fast-growing living fence, Green Giant or Emerald Green?

For a fast-growing living fence, Green Giant arborvitae is the clear winner, growing 3-5 feet per year compared to Emerald Green's 6-12 inches annually. Green Giant reaches 50-60 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide at maturity (zones 5-7), while Emerald Green stays compact at 10-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide (zones 4-6). Choose Green Giant if you need quick privacy and have space for its larger size, or select Emerald Green for slower but more controlled growth in smaller areas.

How long does it take for arborvitae to grow into a full privacy hedge versus installing a fence instantly?

While a fence provides instant privacy, arborvitae typically takes 3-5 years to establish a solid privacy screen when planted 3-4 feet apart. Most arborvitae varieties grow 12-24 inches per year, reaching 6-8 feet tall within this timeframe for effective screening in zones 3-8. For faster results, purchase larger nursery plants (5-6 feet tall) to reduce wait time to just 2-3 years. Plant in spring or early fall and maintain consistent watering the first two seasons to maximize growth rates.

What is the best time of year to plant arborvitae for a hedge?

The best time to plant arborvitae is during spring (after the last frost) or early fall, giving roots 6-8 weeks to establish before winter in zones 3-8. Fall planting is often preferred because cooler temperatures reduce transplant shock while soil remains warm enough for root development. Space plants 3-4 feet apart for a dense hedge, or follow the mature width specifications for your chosen variety. Plant immediately after purchase and water deeply twice weekly for the first growing season.

How much should I water newly planted arborvitae during establishment and droughts?

Newly planted arborvitae need consistent moisture during their first growing season, requiring about 1 inch of water per week through deep, slow watering sessions. During establishment (first 1-2 years), water 2-3 times weekly rather than daily light sprinklings to encourage deep root development. In drought conditions, increase watering frequency and apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 2 inches deep near the root zone and water when it feels dry at that depth.

Are arborvitae hedges deer-resistant compared to other plants or fences?

Arborvitae are generally deer-resistant due to their aromatic oils and dense foliage texture, though deer may browse them during harsh winters when food is scarce. They're significantly more deer-resistant than most flowering plants and shrubs, and unlike fences, they naturally repel deer without creating unsightly barriers. For best deer resistance, choose varieties like Green Giant or Emerald Green arborvitae and plant them in zones 3-8 where they establish strong, healthy growth. Apply deer repellent spray during the first winter after planting to protect young trees while they mature.

How do I maintain arborvitae hedges—pruning, fertilizing, and mulching tips?

Prune arborvitae hedges in late spring after new growth emerges, trimming only the outer 6-12 inches of green foliage and never cutting into old, brown wood. Apply a balanced evergreen fertilizer in early spring and maintain a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping mulch 6 inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture issues. Water deeply during dry spells, especially in the first two years after planting. Trim annually to maintain shape and density, focusing on light, frequent pruning rather than heavy cutting.

Will arborvitae hedges provide better long-term privacy and noise reduction than wood fences?

Yes, arborvitae hedges provide superior long-term privacy and noise reduction compared to wood fences. These dense evergreens grow 1-3 feet per year depending on variety, creating a thick living barrier that blocks sound waves more effectively than solid wood panels. Unlike fences that deteriorate over 10-15 years, established arborvitae hedges in zones 3-8 become more effective with age, reaching 8-20 feet tall with no replacement costs. Plant them 3-4 feet apart for fastest screening, and you'll have meaningful privacy within 2-3 years.

What are the upfront and ongoing costs of arborvitae hedges versus building a fence?

Arborvitae hedges typically cost 30-50% less upfront than quality privacy fencing, with 4-6 foot specimens running $30-80 each versus $15-25 per linear foot for wooden privacy fences plus installation. Once established, arborvitae require minimal annual costs - occasional watering and light pruning - while fences need regular staining, repairs, and eventual replacement every 10-15 years. For a 100-foot privacy screen, you'll save $1,000-2,000 initially and avoid hundreds in annual maintenance costs. Plant arborvitae 3-4 feet apart in zones 3-7 for a dense hedge that pays for itself within 5 years.

Can arborvitae hedges grow taller than fence height restrictions in my area?

Yes, arborvitae can grow well beyond typical 6-8 foot fence height restrictions, with many varieties reaching 15-40 feet at maturity depending on the cultivar. Most municipalities don't regulate living plant heights the same way they do structures, but check your local HOA covenants and city ordinances first. Choose compact varieties like Green Giant (20-40 feet) or Emerald Green (12-15 feet) based on your desired mature height. Contact your local planning department to confirm height regulations for living hedges in your specific area.