Arborvitae vs. Leyland Cypress vs. Green Giant: Which Privacy Tree is Best for Your NC Yard?

The Most Common Privacy Tree Question We Get

When Piedmont Triad homeowners call us for a privacy tree consultation, one question comes up almost every time: ‘Which tree should I plant?’

Three species dominate privacy screens in Lexington, High Point, Thomasville, and the surrounding Piedmont region: Leyland cypress, Green Giant arborvitae, and Emerald Green arborvitae. Each has genuine strengths — and each has weaknesses that can catch homeowners off guard if they pick the wrong one for their property.

This guide breaks them down side by side so you can make an informed decision — or have a much more productive conversation when you call us for a site assessment

Quick Comparison: The Three Trees at a Glance

Growth Rate

3–4 ft/yr

3–5 ft/yr

6–9 in/yr

Mature Height

40–70 ft

30–60 ft

10–15 ft

Mature Width

15–25 ft

12–20 ft

3–4 ft

Spacing

6–10 ft apart

5–8 ft apart

2–3 ft apart

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Good

Moderate

Disease Resistance

Moderate (Seiridium risk)

Excellent

Good

NC Hardiness Zone

6–10

5–9

3–8

Maintenance

Low–Moderate

Low

Very Low

Best Use

Large properties, fast screens

Most yards, all-around performer

Small yards, tight spaces

Leyland Cypress: The Fast-Growing Classic

Leyland cypress (x Cuprocyparis leylandii) has been the go-to privacy tree across the Southeast for decades, and for good reason: it grows fast (up to 3–4 feet per year), reaches impressive heights of 40–70 feet at maturity, and creates a dense, columnar green wall that looks established within just a few years of planting.

What Leyland Cypress Does Well

  • Extremely fast initial screening — you see results within 2–3 seasons
  • Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including clay, which is common across the Piedmont
  • Grows well in full sun and partial shade
  • Creates effective noise and wind barriers at mature size
  • Widely available and generally lower cost per tree than some alternatives

The Honest Drawbacks

Leyland cypress has a well-documented Achilles heel: Seiridium canker and Botryosphaeria canker, two fungal diseases that can kill branches or entire trees, especially in hot, humid conditions. In densely planted rows where airflow is limited — which is exactly how most privacy screens are planted — these diseases can spread quickly.

  • Without proper spacing, cankers can devastate a row of Leylands
  • Mature trees can become top-heavy and prone to storm damage
  • At full size (40–70 feet), they can shade out neighboring properties and overwhelm smaller yards
  • Require removal of dead sections before disease spreads — adds maintenance cost over time

Leyland cypress is still a solid choice for large properties where spacing can be maintained and there is room for the tree to reach full size without overwhelming adjacent structures. On smaller suburban lots in Lexington or High Point, many homeowners find they outgrow their screens in 10–15 years.

Green Giant Arborvitae: The All-Around Winner

Thuja Green Giant has become the most popular privacy tree in North Carolina over the past two decades — and it has earned that status. It combines fast growth (3–5 feet per year when young), excellent disease resistance, and a dense pyramidal form that stays full from ground level to the top.

What Green Giant Does Well

  • Disease resistant — no significant susceptibility to the canker diseases that plague Leyland cypress
  • Deer resistant — a meaningful advantage in rural and semi-rural areas throughout Davidson County
  • Tolerates both drought and wet conditions better than Leyland cypress
  • Maintains dense, full coverage from the base all the way up
  • Lower long-term maintenance than Leyland cypress
  • Hardy from Zone 5–9 — well suited to all of the Piedmont Triad

Limitations to Know

  • Slightly higher initial cost per tree than Leyland cypress in most nurseries
  • Reaches 30–60 feet at maturity — still large for small lots, though typically more manageable than Leyland at full size
  • Can look sparse the first season if planted too far apart — proper spacing at 5–8 feet is important

For most residential privacy screens in Lexington, High Point, Thomasville, and Clemmons, Green Giant arborvitae is our most commonly recommended tree. It delivers speed, durability, and longevity without the disease management headaches.

Emerald Green Arborvitae: The Small-Space Solution

Emerald Green arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) is the compact choice in this comparison. At a slow 6–9 inches per year and a mature height of only 10–15 feet, it is not going to create a tall privacy wall fast. But for the right application, nothing beats it.

Best Applications for Emerald Green

  • Tight urban or suburban lots where taller trees would tower over the house
  • Foundation plantings and border definition where scale matters
  • Spaces between structures where a narrow 3–4 foot width is essential
  • HOA-restricted properties with height limitations
  • Pairing with taller trees as infill at lower levels for complete coverage

The main tradeoff is patience — at less than a foot of growth per year, it takes a decade to reach its 10–15 foot mature height. If you need screening in the next 2–3 years, Green Giant or Leyland cypress is the better call.

Which Privacy Tree is Right for Your Yard?

Your Situation

Best Choice

Large property, want fast screening ASAP

Leyland Cypress or Green Giant

Average suburban yard, low maintenance priority

Green Giant Arborvitae

Deer pressure in rural Davidson County area

Green Giant Arborvitae (deer resistant)

Small lot or HOA height restrictions

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Existing Leyland row with gaps or dead spots

Replace with Green Giant

Noise or wind barrier along a road

Leyland Cypress (taller at maturity)

Partial shade conditions

Leyland Cypress (more shade tolerant)

Why Spacing and Soil Matter More Than Tree Choice

Here is a truth many homeowners discover the hard way: the tree you choose matters less than how it is planted. The most common mistakes we see on new privacy tree installations across the Piedmont Triad are:

  • Planting too close together: Overcrowding reduces airflow and creates the conditions where canker diseases thrive in Leyland cypress. It also limits root development and creates competition for water and nutrients.
  • Planting too shallow or too deep: The root flare should sit at or slightly above grade. Deep planting is one of the leading causes of slow decline in newly installed trees.
  • Skipping soil amendment: The Piedmont region has significant amounts of heavy red clay. Without proper soil prep, water sits around roots and causes rot.
  • No establishment watering plan: New privacy trees need consistent moisture for the first two growing seasons. A tree planted correctly but not watered through its first summer drought will struggle.

This is why a professional site assessment before installation makes a meaningful difference. At Piedmont Privacy Trees, we evaluate soil composition, drainage, sun exposure, and spacing before recommending a species or placing a single tree.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant privacy trees in NC?

Green Giant arborvitae: 5–8 feet apart. Leyland cypress: 6–10 feet apart. Emerald Green arborvitae: 2–3 feet apart. Planting slightly wider than the minimum gives trees room to reach their natural width, improves airflow, and produces healthier long-term screens.

Can I plant privacy trees near a fence?

Yes, but leave at least 4–6 feet between the tree trunk and any fence or structure. This allows the tree to develop its natural form and prevents roots from disrupting fence posts over time.

How long until privacy trees actually block the view?

Green Giant and Leyland cypress planted at 6-foot nursery height typically provide meaningful visual screening within 2–3 growing seasons. Full, dense blocking (6–8 feet of coverage with no gaps) usually takes 4–5 years with proper establishment.

Are Leyland cypress trees dying in NC?

Reports of Leyland cypress decline in North Carolina have increased over the past 15–20 years, largely due to Seiridium canker and Botryosphaeria canker, both fungal diseases that thrive in the humid Southeast. Many homeowners are now replacing Leyland cypress rows with Green Giant arborvitae, which has much stronger disease resistance

Professional Privacy Tree Installation in the Piedmont Triad

Piedmont Privacy Trees installs privacy screens throughout Lexington, High Point, Thomasville, Lewisville, Clemmons, and the surrounding Piedmont Triad. Every installation starts with a free site assessment where we evaluate your soil, sun exposure, drainage, spacing requirements, and privacy goals before recommending a species.

We handle everything from delivery and proper planting depth to soil amendment and post-installation care guidance. If you are not sure which tree is right for your yard, that is exactly what the consultation is for.

Get a Free Privacy Tree Consultation in Lexington, NC Contact Piedmont Privacy Trees

Piedmont Privacy Trees
Proudly serving Lexington, NC and surrounding areas

Phone: +1 336-596-7916
Email: Piedmontlawnlandscaping@gmail.com