How Far Apart to Plant a Cedar Hedge
For a dense privacy hedge, plant cedars about 18 to 24 inches apart, measured trunk to trunk, in a single straight row. Closer than that and the trees compete for water and light; much wider and the hedge takes years longer to close its gaps. Keep the row far enough from a fence, wall or property line that the hedge can be trimmed on both sides once it is full grown.
Spacing between trees
Eighteen to twenty-four inches is the standard spacing for a hedge that fills in within a few seasons. Use the narrow end for Emerald cedars and smaller trees, and the wide end for broader, faster growers like Brandon or larger field-grown cedars.
It is tempting to crowd them for instant privacy. Resist it: crowded cedars shade each other's lower branches, and a hedge that is bare at the bottom is very hard to fix later.
Distance from a fence or property line
Plan for the width the hedge will have when it is mature, not the width of the pots on planting day. A cedar hedge you intend to keep trimmed will still be a few feet thick, so set the row back far enough that the fence side can be reached for its yearly trim and the hedge does not lean over the neighbour's yard.
If the hedge is on or near a shared boundary, talk to your neighbour before planting. Trees whose trunks grow on the line can end up as shared property, which is a conversation better had before the hedge exists.
Single row or double row?
A single row is right for almost every residential hedge. It is easier to water, easier to trim, and fills in fine at 18 to 24 inches.
A staggered double row, two lines offset from each other, only makes sense where you want a very thick screen or a noise and wind barrier and have the width to give up. It doubles the number of trees and makes the inside of the hedge hard to reach.
Setting out the row
A few minutes with a tape measure saves years of an uneven hedge:
- Run a string line between two stakes so the row is straight.
- Mark each tree position along it at your chosen spacing before you dig anything.
- Dig each hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper, or dig one continuous trench, which makes spacing adjustments easy.
- Set the top of each root ball level with the ground. Planting too deep can suffocate the roots.
Then water, and keep watering
Correct spacing only pays off if the trees establish. New cedars need deep, regular watering through their first two growing seasons and a good soak in the fall before the ground freezes. The full routine is in our cedar hedge care guide, and our step-by-step planting guide covers soil preparation and planting depth.
If you would rather have it done once and done right, Hedge King plants fully cultivated cedars as a hedge planting service, or pulls out a failing hedge and replants it as a hedge replacement.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should cedars be planted for a hedge?
About 18 to 24 inches apart, trunk to trunk, in a single row. Use the narrower spacing for Emerald cedars and the wider spacing for broader varieties.
What happens if cedars are planted too close?
They compete for water and light, the lower branches shade out, and the hedge can go bare at the bottom, which is very hard to correct later.
Should I plant a double row of cedars?
Usually not. A single row at 18 to 24 inches fills in well. A staggered double row only makes sense for a very thick screen or windbreak where you have the space.