Expert: Jim Hyland - 5/24/2010

Question
We just planted some emerald cedars to create a privacy hedge.  They are very tall and slender.  Will they eventually thicken and is there anything we can do to help this happen?

Answer
Emerald cedars can reach 25 feet by 5 to 8 feet wide, but their growth slows dramatically at about 15 feet high by 4 feet wide. Hedges can be kept between 8 and 15 feet. As plants are shaped somewhat like upside-down ice cream cones, the top of the hedge makes a zig-zag line until plants fill in completely.