Planting Emerald Arborvitae (???) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cscmc1 · #1 03-31-2009, 09:33 AM

I'm going to drop close to $800 on Emerald Arborvitae from a nearby nursery today, and plant them along our south property line. They'll be replacing a SEVERELY rotted privacy fence. We're buying the 4-footers, and realize it'll take a while for them to fill in at 5' intervals, but I think the end result will be quite nice. I'd love to make it 4' intervals, but that would really push my budget.

Anyway, any advice on this particular tree? I know they are sensitive to road salts, so they will not be planted all the way out to the road. I wanted to leave 20' or so to be able to see both ways when backing out of the driveway anyhow. I dug some test holes last night, and the soil is VERY rich and moist where they'll be planted. The neighbor's house will block some of the direct sunlight, but they are not in a heavily shaded area.

Thanks!

cmbdiesel · #2 03-31-2009, 10:14 AM

Sounds like you've got it figured out pretty well. I wouldn't worry about 5' intervals, it will take longer to fully fill in, but the trees will be happier in the long run. We planted the same trees about 20 years ago with a spread of 7' and it is an impenetrable wall now. The original plan was to maintain enough room to mow in between the trees. They are also taller than what we were told they were going to be, somewhere around 20'. I might be tempted to create a small berm between the trees and the road, if you are downhill. These trees like moist alkaline soil and full sun, but they are very accommodating and will grow well in part sun with sandy acidic soil.

cscmc1 · #3 03-31-2009, 10:19 AM

Thanks! The test holes I dug were VERY moist; I think (hope) they'll do well where we're planting.

cmbdiesel · #4 03-31-2009, 10:20 AM

If I remember, I'll take some photos of our wall (it's at my folks house) when I am there later in the week.

cscmc1 · #5 03-31-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

If I remember, I'll take some photos of our wall (it's at my folks house) when I am there later in the week.

Hey, thanks! We have an old trailer on the lot next to our backyard and will be anxious for the trees to grow tall enough to block that view. Trailers are no longer allowed in town, but that one was grandfathered in. The fellow who lives there is a little "slow," but seems nice enough. It's just an ugly-a$$ trailer, so we don't care to look at it. Then, I'm sure he doesn't care to look at my wheelbarrow, extra bricks, ladder, hammock frame, and other crap that's laying out behind the garage either.

The 4' trees are on sale for 4 for $99; not too bad at current local market prices, and they are nice trees. The 7' ones are $99 EACH! It'll take 15 or so to replace the length of fence out back, too. Can't quite afford the 7-footers at the moment, so hopefully they'll grow relatively quickly.