Creating a private, pet-friendly, and peaceful outdoor living environment is an essential goal for many homeowners. Whether you’re designing a cozy retreat with an outdoor fireplace, installing an outdoor kitchen, or enhancing your garden space, privacy is a key factor. One way to achieve a natural barrier is through the use of privacy screens made from trees. Two popular options are the Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitaes. Both are excellent choices but offer different benefits depending on your landscape design goals.
Understanding Arborvitaes: Green Giant vs. Emerald Green
When it comes to landscaping and privacy screening, Green Giant Arborvitaes and Emerald Green Arborvitaes are the top contenders. Both trees provide the lush, dense foliage needed to block out noise and prying eyes, making them ideal for privacy screens in residential settings.
Here’s how you can transform your yard into an extraordinary outdoor space today:
Green Giant Arborvitaes
Green Giant Arborvitaes are renowned for their fast growth, reaching up to 3 feet annually in ideal conditions. These trees can grow as tall as 30 to 40 feet, providing considerable height for privacy. They have a conical shape, offering a thick, dense green foliage year-round, perfect for creating a solid barrier.
Green Giants are known for being resilient to various environmental conditions, making them an excellent choice for both small and large yards.
Emerald Green Arborvitaes
On the other hand, Emerald Green Arborvitaes are smaller and more compact, reaching heights of around 10 to 15 feet. They grow slower than Green Giants, at about 6 to 12 inches per year, but they maintain their vibrant, emerald-green color throughout the year.
These trees are perfect for smaller landscapes where space is a concern. Due to their smaller size and slower growth rate, they require less maintenance, making them ideal for homeowners who want a low-maintenance privacy solution.
Why Install Privacy Screens?
Privacy screens are not just about blocking views; they’re about creating a safe, peaceful retreat in your own backyard. Adding a privacy screen made from trees like Green Giant or Emerald Green Arborvitaes can transform your outdoor living space, making it more enjoyable for relaxation or entertaining guests. Here are some benefits of installing a privacy screen in your landscape design:
- Enhanced Privacy: Privacy screens help to shield your outdoor space from the view of neighbors or passersby, creating a secluded area perfect for enjoying your outdoor kitchen or patio.
- Noise Reduction: Arborvitaes’ dense foliage can also absorb sound, creating a quieter outdoor environment for relaxation or social gatherings.
- Aesthetic Appeal: A well-placed privacy screen adds a layer of beauty to your landscape. Whether you choose the tall Green Giant or the compact Emerald Green, both add texture, color, and visual interest to your yard.
- Protection from Wind: Tall, dense trees can serve as windbreaks, protecting your outdoor living areas, such as patios or outdoor kitchens, from strong winds.
- Increased Property Value: Investing in a privacy screen enhances the overall aesthetic and functionality of your property. A well-maintained, attractive outdoor entertainment and relaxing space can increase your home’s curb appeal and overall value.
Making the Right Choice for Your Landscape
Choosing between Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitaes depends on your specific needs and the space you’re working with. If you have a larger yard and want a fast-growing, tall privacy screen, Green Giants are the way to go. They’ll provide an exceptional barrier against wind, noise, and prying eyes in no time.
However, if you’re working with a smaller area or want a more manageable tree that requires less upkeep, the Emerald Green Arborvitae might be your best bet. Its compact nature and slower growth make it a perfect fit for smaller residential properties.
A Modern Approach to Privacy Screening
A modern and creative solution to consider for privacy screening is the addition of decorative panel(s). Select panels in an artistic style that complements your unique landscape. In many areas, decorative panels are not classified as a fence; therefore, no permit is required to install this outdoor element, making it a beautiful and functional privacy screening option.
How to Incorporate Privacy Screens into Your Landscape
Integrating a privacy screen into your landscape design requires thoughtful planning.
Begin by evaluating your yard’s layout and identifying areas where you need privacy.
Consider the tree’s growth rate, size, and location before planting to ensure they don’t interfere with other elements, such as landscape lighting or hardscape features like patios and outdoor kitchens. Our team of experts at Campbell & Ferrara can help guide you through the process to ensure a beautiful, functional, and pet-friendly outdoor living environment.
Bottom Line
When it comes to creating a private, peaceful outdoor space, both Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitaes are excellent choices for privacy screening. Each has its unique qualities that cater to different landscape designs, whether you need a fast-growing, tall screen or a more compact, slower-growing option.
If you’re looking to enhance your outdoor living environment with the perfect privacy screen, contact us at Campbell & Ferrara. Our team of landscape and hardscape experts specializes in landscape design and hardscape design, as well as making sure your yard stays fresh and lovely with help from licensed drainage contractors.
Call us today at (703) 354-6724 or contact us to start planning your privacy screening project!