In a few years I think you would be shearing up the lower branches on neighbors side as it grows into the 1 foot wood wall. And on your side they would be extending over your wall. I am not sure I have the best idea for plantings here - can you tell us your exposure, soil type, and what water source?

Oh I am sorry - misread - was thinking of green giant arbs that my next door neighbor has. Sorry I do not know the emerald green.

If I understand correctly, this 80' row of emerald green arborvitae would be 'sandwiched' in a long, 2 foot wide row bordered by a 1 foot higher retaining wall behind, and a 2 foot drop-off by retaining wall before them.

Or something like that.

Consider that with a big drop-off retaining wall, during dry times you may have to do quite a bit of supplemental watering, since I assume ground water will drain out that retaining wall pretty fast.

I'm not familiar with how moist your soil stays in summer. But if you ever have droughts, especially during the first couple of years getting established, get reading for a water bill.

I might be tempted to 'mix it up a bit,' either with a few golden arborvitae forms here and there (e.g.: yellow ribbon arborvitae comes to mind, but there are others), a couple of Boulevard false cypress, maybe a few Blue Point Juniper if conditions are good for it there. Good visually, and that way if bag worms strike while you're out of town a week or two someday, maybe your wall won't be quite as decimated.

Richard.

I did want to create a screen with the arborvitae. The 1' retaining wall at the rear of the planting area is only 6" below the surface. Is that shallow enough to allow the roots to go under that area?

here is an image of the planting area:

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:684907}}

can we have a picture of the actual site.. rather than the graphic ....

why cant you plant in mother earth .... in front of the wall ... perhaps planting sunflowers in the smaller spaces.. something that will get tall fast ...

you have pretty securely put yourself inside of a 2 foot box ... i suggest you look outside of it..

can it be done.. sure.. why not.. forget about your root issues ... the roots will go wherever they want.. they care not about your walls ...

should it be done.. i am have serious problems with it ... i am just thinking about 10 or 20 years down the line.. and what might happen ..

pic please

ken

I am with Ken. Plant in the ground in front of the concrete wall which I assume is not the most attractive feature anyway. A couple of notes on the cedars themselves are that they aren't big, even after several years, and planting them side by each, especially at 2 feet, will create more of a soldiers in a row look than a hedge. I would recommend planting them one every two feet and then in the gap but forward a foot, plant another one, so you have a staggered double row. So you are looking at 80 plants, which can be expensive, but if you start with smaller plants they would catch up to larger starter plants very quickly anyway. Given the scale I would recommend hiring a crew or renting some equipment to dig a trench the entire way, set in the plants, and then backfill.

Finally, I don't know if this is attractive or an option, but something to at least consider and then discard is the idea of offering to pay for and plant the cedars on your neighbours property, since your raised bed would be great to plant in.

I planted emerald green 8 months ago and it did well until recently when it did not green up like my others. Any ideas. Thanks