Question
Hi,

I want to use Emerald Green Arborvitae as a hedge/screen. The literature I have read says the spread is from 3' to 5'. I was planning on spacing them at 4' but now I'm wondering if there is a chance that they won't grow together at that spacing. Do you think I should space them at 3' to be safe? or will 4' be okay? I also don't want them to be too close so that they don't have any air circulation.

Thanks,

Dave

Answer
4' should be OK as long as you fertilize them yearly w/a good evergreen fertilizer like hollytone. you will also need to keep them pruned back yearly to keep them all at the same height. keep your eye out for bagworms(moth caterpillars that form a bag around themselves) - they look like cones but are just dead foliage material they make pupal cases out of. the adults females are wingless and lay their eggs in the cases for next years brood. easy to get rid of by spraying BT(bacillus thurginese) biological control pesticide. i'm in southern NJ. visit your local garden center/nursery to quiz them on arborvitaes in your area.
good luck
rick
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