If you’ve been researching privacy trees for your yard, you’ve probably already come across two names that keep coming up — Green Giant arborvitae and Emerald Green arborvitae. Both are evergreens, both are popular in South Jersey, and at first glance they can look similar. But they have real differences that matter depending on your yard, your space, and how quickly you want privacy.
At Morgan Landscape, we plant both varieties regularly throughout Burlington County. Here’s how we help homeowners decide which one is right for them.
The Key Differences Between Green Giant and Emerald Green
Growth rate and size is the biggest practical difference between the two.
Green Giants live up to their name. They can grow 3 feet or more per year and reach mature heights of 30 to 40 feet with a spread of 12 to 15 feet. If you want to fill a large open property line quickly, Green Giants are hard to beat. They’re fast, they’re full, and they make a serious visual impact within just a few seasons.
Emerald Greens grow considerably slower — roughly 6 to 12 inches per year — and top out at around 12 to 15 feet tall with a much narrower spread of 3 to 4 feet. That slower growth and tighter shape is actually an advantage in the right situation. Around a pool, along a side yard, or anywhere space is limited, Emerald Greens fit without overwhelming the area. Green Giants in a tight space will eventually become a problem.
Deer is the other major factor for South Jersey homeowners. Deer will eat Emerald Greens. They generally leave Green Giants alone. If your property has deer pressure — and many Burlington County neighborhoods do — that’s a significant consideration. We’ve seen beautiful rows of Emerald Greens get browsed hard over a winter. It doesn’t make them the wrong choice, but it’s something to go in with eyes open about, especially on younger trees.
Shape and appearance differs between the two as well. Green Giants have a broader, more pyramidal form — think of a large Christmas tree silhouette. Emerald Greens are slimmer and more formal looking, with a tighter, more refined shape. Both are attractive. It comes down to the look you’re going for and the space you’re working with.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s how we typically guide homeowners:
Choose Green Giants if:
- You have a long open property line to fill
- You want privacy as quickly as possible
- Your yard has deer pressure
- You have the space to accommodate a larger, wider tree at maturity
Choose Emerald Greens if:
- You’re working in a tighter space — side yard, pool area, narrow border
- You prefer a slimmer, more formal look
- Deer pressure is minimal in your area
- You don’t need the full height a Green Giant will eventually reach
Price between the two is essentially identical, so cost shouldn’t drive the decision. Let the space and the situation drive it.
What Size Tree Should You Plant?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer depends on how quickly you want privacy and what you’re willing to invest.
The most common size we plant is 6 to 7 foot trees. Here’s something worth understanding though — trees are measured to their highest point, and on arborvitae especially, the very top tapers to a thin tip. A 6 foot Green Giant will technically reach the top of a standard fence panel, but the fuller mass of the tree sits lower. It will look slightly smaller than the fence at first. Within a couple of seasons that changes significantly, but it’s worth knowing upfront.
If you want more immediate privacy, 7 to 8 foot trees give you a noticeably better starting point. The root balls on trees this size are substantial — this is where having a landscaper with the right equipment matters. We handle trees of this size regularly and have the machinery to plant them properly, including the ability to navigate yards the old-fashioned way with a tree cart when equipment can’t reach.
For homeowners who want near-instant privacy — or who have lost a tree from an existing row and need to match surrounding trees — we can source and plant significantly larger trees. We’ve planted arborvitae as large as 16 feet. At that size, the privacy is immediate and dramatic.
If budget is a consideration, 5 to 6 foot trees are a viable option. You’ll wait a bit longer for full privacy, but the trees establish well and grow from there. Even 4 to 5 footers work — it just requires patience.
How Far Apart Should Privacy Trees Be Planted?
The standard spacing for arborvitae privacy screens is 4 to 5 feet on center. At that spacing, the trees will grow together into a continuous wall of green over time, eliminating visible gaps.
Some homeowners prefer one tree per fence panel. That’s not wrong — it’s simply a matter of how quickly you want the trees to connect. Even trees that haven’t grown together yet create a strong sense of privacy because they break up the sightline. A row of well-placed arborvitae, even with space between them, feels very different than an open yard.
Emerald Green arborvitae privacy screen planted along South Jersey homePlanting Options — Landscape Bed vs. Mulch Rings
When it comes to how the trees are installed, there are two common approaches.
For smaller groupings or trees going into an existing landscape bed, we cut out the grass, build up the area with additional topsoil to raise the bed above ground level, and plant the trees directly into the bed. This gives a clean, finished look from day one.
For longer runs along a property line, we typically plant each tree in its own individual mulch ring. Over time, as the trees grow and spread, they naturally overtake the rings and the entire row becomes a solid, natural privacy wall. Eventually the mulch rings disappear entirely — it just looks like a mature hedge.
How to Help Your Trees Grow Faster
Both Green Giants and Emerald Greens are drought tolerant and low maintenance once established. After the first year in the ground, they should survive on rainfall alone without supplemental watering. That first year, consistent watering is important while the root system settles in.
Fertilizing makes a real difference in growth rate. We recommend fertilizing in early spring and again in the fall. Those two windows — when trees are actively preparing to grow or storing energy for the following season — are when feeding does the most good. Avoid fertilizing in summer. Trees shift into a protective mode during heat stress, and pushing growth during that period can actually work against them.
One Thing to Do After a Heavy Wet Snow
This is something a lot of homeowners don’t think about until it’s too late.
If South Jersey gets a late winter or early spring snowstorm with heavy, wet snow — the kind that sticks to everything — go outside and shake your arborvitae. The weight of wet snow accumulating on the branches can be significant, and it can snap limbs or split trunks under enough pressure.
Emerald Greens are particularly vulnerable because of how they grow with multiple leaders. That split trunk structure can get pushed apart by snow weight, and one side can snap. We saw this happen widely during a major wet snowstorm this past season — trees that had been growing beautifully for years were damaged overnight. It takes two minutes to shake your trees after a storm. It’s worth it.
Other Privacy Tree Options Worth Considering
Green Giants and Emerald Greens are the most popular choices, but they’re not the only options. Depending on your situation, a few other plants are worth knowing about:
Cherry Laurel (Skip Laurel) — A broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows more as a traditional hedge. Dense, deer resistant, and effective for privacy. Great for homeowners who want a lower, more manicured look rather than a tall tree line.
Dappled Willow — An underrated option that we plant often. Dappled willows grow extremely fast — up to 2 to 3 feet per year — and can be maintained at a desired height by cutting them back. They produce stunning tri-colored foliage through spring in white, pink, and green. They handle New Jersey’s climate well, are deer resistant, and do particularly well in wetter areas or along property lines with poor drainage. If your back property line tends to stay wet, dappled willows are worth a serious look.
Ready to Add Privacy to Your South Jersey Property?
Morgan Landscape installs privacy trees throughout Burlington County — including Lumberton, Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Hainesport, Westampton, Mount Holly, Medford, Marlton, and surrounding South Jersey communities.
Whether you know exactly what you want or you’re still figuring it out, we’re happy to walk your property and give you an honest recommendation based on your space and goals.