Privacy tree quantity planning guide hero image for Big Tree Planting Co.

PRIVACY PLANNING

How Many Privacy Trees Do I Need?

To calculate how many privacy trees you need, divide your fence length by the spacing distance, then add one. For a 100 foot property line with trees spaced 5 feet apart: (100 ÷ 5) + 1 = 21 trees.

Request a Planting Estimate View Guides

QUICK ANSWER

What to know first

To calculate how many privacy trees you need, divide your fence length by the spacing distance, then add one. For a 100 foot property line with trees spaced 5 feet apart: (100 ÷ 5) + 1 = 21 trees.

The privacy tree calculator formula: Our privacy screen spacing calculator formula is simple: (Total Length ÷ Spacing) + 1. If you have 50 feet of fence and want Emerald Greens spaced 3 feet apart: (50 ÷ 3) + 1 = 17.6 (round up to 18 trees).

Number of arborvitae for fence line examples: For a 100 foot property line: at 4-foot spacing you need 26 trees; at 5-foot spacing you need 21 trees; at 8-foot spacing you need 13 trees.

Staggered privacy trees math: If planting staggered privacy trees in a double row, calculate the number of trees for one row and multiply by two, or divide your total length by half the spacing.

GUIDE

What affects the project

The privacy tree calculator formula

Our privacy screen spacing calculator formula is simple: (Total Length ÷ Spacing) + 1. If you have 50 feet of fence and want Emerald Greens spaced 3 feet apart: (50 ÷ 3) + 1 = 17.6 (round up to 18 trees).

Number of arborvitae for fence line examples

For a 100 foot property line: at 4-foot spacing you need 26 trees; at 5-foot spacing you need 21 trees; at 8-foot spacing you need 13 trees.

Staggered privacy trees math

If planting staggered privacy trees in a double row, calculate the number of trees for one row and multiply by two, or divide your total length by half the spacing.

DECISION SUPPORT

How to use this guide before planting

Plan for mature width

Spacing should not only solve the first-year gap. The row also needs enough room for mature width, airflow, fence clearance, and future maintenance access.

Match species to the site

Sun, drainage, deer pressure, available depth, and desired height can change whether a narrow arborvitae, a large evergreen, or a mixed screen is the stronger fit.