🌲 Arborvitae vs Leyland Cypress: Which Privacy Tree Is Better?

Compare Arborvitae vs Leyland Cypress for privacy trees. Learn growth rate, spacing, size, and which tree is best for your landscape.


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Choosing the right privacy tree is key to creating a dense, long-lasting screen. Two of the most popular options are Arborvitae and Leyland Cypress—both excellent for privacy, but with important differences.

This guide breaks down growth rate, size, spacing, and best uses so you can choose the right tree for your project.


🌲 Quick Comparison

Feature Arborvitae Leyland Cypress
Growth Rate
1–3 ft/year
2–3+ ft/year
Mature Height
10–50 ft (varies)
60–70 ft
Width
Narrow to medium
Wide
Maintenance
Low ✅
Moderate
Best For
Tight spaces ✅
Large properties ✅

🌿 Arborvitae (Green Giant & Emerald Green)

✅ Pros

  • Dense, compact growth ✅
  • Ideal for tight spaces and property lines 
  • Low maintenance ✅
  • Holds shape well

❌ Cons

  • Slightly slower than Leyland Cypress
  • Smaller maximum height (depending on variety)

✅ Best Use

  • Residential backyards
  • Property line screening
  • Formal hedges

🌲 Leyland Cypress

✅ Pros

  • Extremely fast-growing ✅
  • Creates tall privacy walls quickly 
  • Great for large areas

❌ Cons

  • Requires more space
  • Can outgrow smaller yards
  • Needs occasional maintenance

✅ Best Use

  • Large properties
  • Commercial landscapes
  • Windbreaks and tall screening

📏 Spacing Differences

  • Arborvitae: 3–6 feet apart
  • Leyland Cypress: 6–8 feet apart

👉 See full guide:
Privacy Tree Spacing Guide


⏱️ How Fast Will You Get Privacy?

  • Arborvitae: 3–5 years for full hedge
  • Leyland Cypress: 2–4 years for tall screening ✅

🧠 Which One Should You Choose?

✅ Choose Arborvitae if:

  • You have limited space
  • You want a clean, uniform hedge
  • You prefer low maintenance

✅ Choose Leyland Cypress if:

  • You need fast, tall privacy
  • You have a large property
  • You want maximum coverage quickly

💡 Pro Tip

For most homeowners:

👉 Arborvitae (especially Green Giant) is the best balance of:

  • Growth speed ✅
  • Manageability ✅
  • Long-term performance ✅

🔗 Related Resources