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Spacing and planting of Emerald Green Arborvitae

13 years ago

I have inherited a 7 shrubs "Emerald Green Arborvitae" that the builder has planted (bought from Home depot). I want this to provide some privacy. A picture says more then a 1000 words so here is the current state.

http://sites.google.com/site/humbry/Home/Emerald_Arborvitae.JPG

Notice the trees are 55inches apart, 58 inches tall and 23inches wide at the base. The "fact sheet" from home depot states that the mature size of the tree is 8-10 feet tall and 24 inches wide.

Since they are already 23inches wide at the base but only 58inches tall and can grow to 120inches, I wonder if they can fill up the empty space? The other option is to replant them to be closer to 30inches apart, but I prefer they can grow taller and wider naturally then have a lot of small trees.

Notice that the trees that are planted by the builder are showing quiet a bit of the root ball, which concerns me a lot. The trees that I (re) planted are quiet a lot deeper in the soil. Here is a picture of the exposed root ball:

http://sites.google.com/site/humbry/Home/RootBall.JPG

Also, there is no mulch on any of them.

So the questions:

Do I need to replant them to be closer in spacing?

Do I need to add mulch?

Do I need to replant the trees that are showing the rootball.

This is in NJ, the soil is rocky with clay.

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Comments (5)

tomji
Original Author
13 years ago
The picture links aren't working.
Here are the trees.

Here is a link that might be useful: Emerald Arborvitae Line
tomji
Original Author
13 years ago
And here is the exposed root ball

Here is a link that might be useful: Root ball
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ask your question on the DISCUSSION side of the forum... rather than the gallery ken
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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.
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drrich2
13 years ago
I've read they can get 12 - 14 feet tall. That should take time; I've already read once established you might be looking at 6" - 1' growth per year, if memory serves.

Is that clay soil? I know on the forum some people plant slightly above grade with clay soil in areas prone to prolonged wetness, for some trees.

I've read discussions about rows of these guys (because I planted 14 last Fall). Some people plant them 3' apart so they fill in a bit faster; some 4 feet so each has plenty of personal space, thinking they SHOULD eventually fill in mostly (albeit it could take a long time). I've not heard of anyone planting them 4'7" apart, though.

Here's a trick people talk about on the forum for hastening hedges; plant another row of them in front of that row, staggered (blocking the open spaces), for a more rapid fill-in effect.

OR, consider making that front row a different species or cultivar, for variety. For example, I wonder how yellow ribbon arborvitae or Holmstrup's yellow (not plain Holmstrup) would do? Perhaps blue point juniper? I'm not familiar with planting in New Jersey, and aesthetics are personal.

I like Boulevard False Cypress (the regular form, not those poodle-cut 'topiary' versions that look like pom-poms).

Richard.
tomji
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Richard,

Thank you. I think I will end up replanting them with 3.2' - 3.5'
I hope replanting twice in 2 weeks is not too much stress for them. I will get a string to plant them in a straight line.

I thought 4'7" could work because someone down a block has also an Arborvitae with such spacing, but I am unsure if it's the very same type.
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
13 years ago
Most plants grow best in the "ideal" yard. Its not uncommon to see these growing in some rocky areas though.

Good luck with your plantings! I always vote for including multiple species:

1. I never have the time to maintain a proper English Garden.
2. Some bug or problem might come by that specializes in Ash, Chestnut, Elm, or whatever.
3. One of them just might die. Ppl die young occasionally, so do plants. Hate to throw the sense of balance off.

Here is a link that might be useful:

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