Full Speed A Hedge® Thin Man® Arborvitae

Thin Man® Arborvitae: The Narrowest Privacy Hedge for Tight Spaces

When every inch of your yard counts, Thin Man® Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Thin Man') delivers maximum privacy in minimum width. This ultra-narrow arborvitae reaches 12-15 feet tall while staying just 2-3 feet wide, making it the narrowest arborvitae available for homeowners who need a fast-growing privacy hedge without surrendering precious yard space.

Part of the Full Speed A Hedge® series, Thin Man® grows 2-3 feet per year and thrives in Zones 3-7, surviving temperatures as low as -40°F. Its dense, emerald green foliage holds its color all winter long, giving your arborvitae privacy hedge year-round screening power even through the coldest northern winters.

Why Thin Man® Is the Best Narrow Arborvitae for Privacy Hedges

Most privacy trees spread 5-6 feet wide or more at maturity. Thin Man® stays a trim 2-3 feet wide, naturally, with no pruning required to maintain its columnar form. Plant it as a skinny arborvitae hedge along a fence, driveway, or property line and reclaim the yard space that a bulkier variety would consume.

Unlike American Arborvitae, which can spread to 15 feet wide at maturity, this tall narrow arborvitae keeps its pencil-thin silhouette for life. No crown shearing, no annual trims. Just a dense green column that performs reliably through Zones 3-7.

Key Features

• Ultra-narrow form, just 2-3 feet wide at full maturity, no pruning required to maintain shape
• Grows 2-3 feet per year, among the fastest narrow arborvitae varieties available
• Dense emerald green foliage holds color all winter, even in Zone 3 cold
• Deer-resistant and cold-hardy down to -40°F
• Tolerates urban conditions, air pollution, clay soils, and tight planting areas
• Won't split or splay under heavy snow load

Landscaping Uses for Thin Man® Arborvitae

This columnar evergreen is one of the most versatile narrow arborvitae varieties on the market. Whether you need a formal arborvitae hedge, a slim windbreak, or a single specimen accent, Thin Man® covers it.

• Arborvitae privacy hedge along property lines or fences, plant 2-3 feet apart for a tight, seamless evergreen screen
• Space-saving hedge between driveways, buildings, or side yards as narrow as 4 feet
• Formal entryway accent, paired specimens flanking a gate or front door
• Evergreen backdrop for mixed borders and perennial beds
• Windbreaks and sound buffers in narrow side yards
• Container planting on patios or rooftops in large, insulated urns for cold-hardy climates
• Slim screening for balcony and apartment gardens
• Snow drift barrier that holds its narrow form under load

Planting Thin Man® as an Arborvitae Privacy Hedge

For a fast-forming, solid arborvitae hedge, plant Thin Man® trees 2-3 feet apart on center. At this spacing, plants knit into a seamless wall within 2-3 growing seasons. For a slightly looser but still dense screen, space them 3-4 feet apart. A formal driveway or walkway hedge planted at 2-foot spacing creates a near-instant living fence effect that outperforms any vinyl or wood alternative in longevity and curb appeal.

Choose a site with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. This skinny arborvitae adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soils but will not tolerate standing water. Plant in spring or fall, or any time the ground is not frozen. Read our complete Arborvitae planting guide here.

Wildlife and Year-Round Appeal

Beyond privacy, Thin Man® earns its keep all four seasons. Its dense branching provides critical nesting and shelter habitat for birds year-round, and its small persistent cones attract songbirds throughout winter. Bees and butterflies visit the spring foliage growth, while the bright emerald green color provides structure and visual interest when the rest of the garden has gone dormant. This is a tall thin tree for privacy that also gives back to your local ecosystem.

Care and Maintenance

This low-maintenance narrow arborvitae is bred for easy-care landscapes. Once established, it requires very little attention to keep performing at its best. Read in-depth Arborvitae care information here.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall, but plantable any time the ground is not frozen
• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade, minimum 4-6 hours of direct light daily
• Soil Needs: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates clay and poor soils, not soggy spots
• Moisture Needs: Consistent moisture during the first year; drought tolerant once established
• Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of shredded bark or wood chips to conserve moisture and insulate roots
• Fertilization: Slow-release granular fertilizer for evergreens, applied once each spring
• Pruning: Not required; can be lightly sheared in late spring to maintain a formal hedge line
• Deer Resistance: One of the more deer-resistant arborvitae varieties; use netting during establishment in high-pressure areas

The Thinnest Arborvitae for Your Landscape

If you have been searching for a narrow arborvitae for privacy hedges that does not overwhelm your yard, Thin Man® is your answer. With its fast 2-3 ft annual growth, trim 2-3 ft width, and cold-hardy reliability through Zone 3, it is the ideal tall thin tree for privacy in the tightest of spaces. From side yards to urban lots to formal garden borders, this slim evergreen stands tall where others spread wide.

Order Thin Man® Arborvitae from Nature Hills today and we will ship it directly to your door, ready to plant.