The writer is a member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County.
This is the season of the year we realize just how much privacy we have around our home. All the green vegetative grow that blocks our view in summer is now gone. One way to regain our privacy is through planting evergreen trees and shrubs.
Arborvitae trees have become synonymous with hedgerow plantings for privacy. It’s hard to just think of them as North American native evergreens of the cypress family anymore. I picture them standing guard in suburbia, screening street views, separating and isolating neighbors. Well, that’s what we had hoped for anyway. Somehow, it doesn’t always work out as well or simply as we expect it to. My comments are an attempt to address some of the reasons why.
In the wild arborvitae can be found in poor soils, which can be sterile, alkaline and rocky. The hybrids selected for the landscape grow best in a moist well-drained soil. A full sun situation is also best; too much shade will cause them to be too open and floppy in their habit. The most popular cultivars are “Techny,” “Pyramidal” and “Emerald Green.” In our area, Emerald Green has emerged as the most popular and therefore easiest cultivar to find. So why are homeowners disappointed in their “living” fence? Often it is a matter of information and expectations.
Contrary to popular belief, and sometimes left out of advertising, is the fact that these arborvitae are slow growing evergreens. Emerald Green will put on 4-9” in height and possibly 2-6” in width each year. Many homeowners would say “that’s all?” I have seen them touted as being able to grow four feet per year! That’s amazing considering this excellent evergreen, introduced from Poulsen, Denmark in 1950, matures at 10’-15’ with a 3’-4’ spread in the landscape setting. So if you don’t purchase a sizeable tree from the start, be sure to have plenty of patience waiting for that screen or privacy you were longing for.
Another consideration involves plant selection and quality. Emerald Greens can be purchased in containers or as a balled-and-burlapped tree. They are generally sold by height. The most popular size marketed to homeowners is the 5-6’ trees. They can also be purchased as 3-4’, 7-8’, 8-10’, etc. trees in some nursery and garden centers. If the trees have been grown without pruning, they will reach the 5-6’ size quickly but will be thinner than those that have been pruned in production. Balled-and-burlapped trees tend to be thicker, heavier and therefore more expensive. So keep in mind that not all Emerald Greens are created equal.
How far apart should I plant my Emerald Greens in order to get my “instant privacy?” The “rule of thumb” in the industry is to plant them on 2-foot centers. That’s pretty darn close from the tree’s perspective. Some folks plant them further apart and wait for them to grow together, this is most desirable when you have a lot of room to cover. Others cram them closer to get that solid wall effect. The other beauty of this cultivar is that it can be left virtually unpruned without taking up too much yard space. Other evergreens such as spruces, firs and Douglas firs could also be used for privacy, but they require much more yard space.
The most common issue after planting is proper watering. Emerald Greens, as well as other newly planted trees, should be watered regularly. They are especially sensitive until their roots get established in the native soil. The first year after planting is the most critical. High summer temperatures and drying winds can cause tissue death in a matter of days. Some homeowners wait until they see brown foliage to begin watering, but that’s too late to start. Be sure your trees receive 1 inch of water each week, either from rainfall or from proper watering. The best way to accomplish this in a hedgerow of newly planted arborvitaes is by installing a soaker hose at the time of planting. Soaker hoses have many advantages; they lose very little water to evaporation, the water is placed where it is needed, they are barely visible and can be connected to a timer.
Like any other plant material there are a few pest problems to be on the lookout for. Pests such as bagworms, spider mites, leaf miners, deer browsing and tip blight are the most common problems. If they are left unattended each can cause serious damage. For more information on identifying these pests and recommendations for managing them, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office.
