Space most privacy trees and shrubs 5 to 8 feet apart on center for a solid screen that closes in within 3-5 years, or 3 to 4 feet apart for faster, denser coverage if you don't mind more competition between plants as they mature. The right spacing depends on the mature width of the specific variety — planting too close causes crowding, disease, and lopsided growth, while planting too far apart leaves gaps for years.
Spacing is one of the most common mistakes in DIY privacy screen projects. Homeowners often either crowd trees too tightly, hoping for instant density, or space them too far apart based on the small size of the plant at purchase rather than its eventual mature width.
The Golden Rule of Privacy Plant Spacing
Use roughly 60-75% of a plant's mature width as the spacing distance between plants, which allows branches to interlock into a solid screen without severe long-term crowding. For example, a tree with a 10-foot mature width should generally be spaced 6-7 feet apart on center — close enough to merge into a wall of foliage, wide enough that both plants still get adequate airflow and light.
Spacing Chart for Popular Georgia Privacy Plants
| Plant | Mature Width | Recommended Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Green Giant Arborvitae | 12-18 ft | 5-6 ft |
| Leyland Cypress | 15-25 ft | 6-8 ft |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | 3-4 ft | 2.5-3 ft |
| Nellie R. Stevens Holly | 10-15 ft | 5-7 ft |
| Wax Myrtle | 10-15 ft | 5-7 ft |
| Skip Laurel | 6-10 ft | 4-5 ft |
| Eastern Red Cedar | 10-20 ft | 6-8 ft |
Should I Space Trees Tighter for Faster Privacy?
Tighter spacing (using the lower end of the recommended range, or slightly under it) does close a screen in faster, but it comes with tradeoffs: increased competition for water and nutrients, higher humidity between plants that can encourage fungal disease, and a greater chance that inner branches die back from lack of light once the row fills in. For most Gwinnett County yards, standard spacing plus patience produces a healthier long-term screen than aggressive close-spacing.
When Tight Spacing Makes Sense
- Short-term rental or resale properties where a fast visual effect matters more than 20-year plant health
- Narrow spaces where a double row isn't an option and a single dense line is required quickly
- Budget allows for likely removal/thinning of every other plant in 8-10 years
Should I Plant a Single Row or a Staggered Double Row?
A staggered double row — two rows offset in a zigzag pattern — creates a denser, more solid screen faster than a single row and is worth the extra cost when width allows at least 10-12 feet of planting space. Single rows remain the standard choice for most residential property lines where space is limited to 6-10 feet.
How Does Spacing Change Near Property Lines and Structures?
Keep large privacy trees like Green Giant Arborvitae or Leyland Cypress at least 6-8 feet from a fence, foundation, or property line to account for their full mature width without overhanging or requiring aggressive pruning to keep in bounds. Smaller varieties like Emerald Green Arborvitae or Skip Laurel can be planted closer, generally 3-4 feet from a fence line, since their narrower mature width won't crowd the structure.
What If My Trees Are Already Planted Too Close Together?
If an existing planting is overcrowded, the best long-term fix is usually removing every other plant once the row has grown together enough to maintain screening, rather than letting all of them compete indefinitely and decline together. This is a common issue on properties where a previous owner planted for instant effect without accounting for mature spread.
Quick Spacing Formula
- Fast coverage, accept tradeoffs: Space at 40-50% of mature width
- Balanced (recommended): Space at 60-75% of mature width
- Long-term health priority: Space at full mature width
How Do I Measure Spacing Correctly on a Sloped or Irregular Property Line?
On sloped ground, measure spacing along the actual ground contour rather than a flat horizontal line, since a fixed spacing distance covers less true screening length on a slope than the same distance on flat ground. For curved or irregular property lines, mark planting points with stakes and string before digging to confirm even spacing, since eyeballing spacing along a curve tends to bunch plants at the tightest part of the curve and leave gaps at the wider sections.
Don't Forget Utility Lines
Before finalizing spacing and digging locations, call 811 to have underground utility lines marked — a free service in Georgia — since privacy tree roots and digging depth can conflict with buried gas, water, or cable lines if planting locations aren't checked first. This is especially important along property lines, where utility easements are common.
Getting spacing right the first time saves significant cost and rework down the line. BB Blossoms can lay out and install a privacy screen at the correct spacing for your property throughout Gwinnett County.