Quick Summary for Homeowners:
- Project: Large-scale “Living Fence” privacy screen in Germantown, MD (Rive Gauche Estates).
- Species: 54 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (9–10ft specimens).
- Key Benefits: Upper-level window privacy, deer resistance, and wind/snow tolerance.
- Technical Specs: 5-foot on-center spacing with custom integrated drip irrigation system.
Need to block out the neighbors? We recently completed a large-scale “living fence” project in the Rive Gauche Estates neighborhood of Germantown, Maryland, transforming a property line into a lush, evergreen sanctuary.
The Problem: Beyond the 6-Foot Fence
While a standard 6-foot wooden or composite fence provides ground-level privacy, it does nothing to stop the view from a neighbor’s second-story windows. Our client needed a solution that would “lift” the privacy line to 15 or 20 feet without the harsh look of a massive structure.
The Solution: 54 Specimen Green Giants
For this installation, we planted 54 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitaes, each standing at least 9–10 feet tall at the time of planting. By installing these along the existing fence row, we created an immediate “second-story” screen that will only grow denser and more effective with time.
Why Green Giants Over Leyland Cypress?
As a botanist working in Montgomery County, I am frequently asked why I recommend the “Green Giant” over the traditional Leyland Cypress. For this Germantown project, the choice was clear for two critical reasons:
- Deer Resistance: While no plant is 100% “deer-proof,” Green Giants are significantly more resilient against local deer pressure than Leylands, which are often decimated in our area.
- Structural Integrity: Green Giants handle the heavy snow loads and high winds typical of Maryland winters much better than Leylands, which are prone to branch breakage. This is due to Green Giants being a central leader tree and Leyland Cypress multi-leader.
Technical Specs: Spacing and Soil in Montgomery County
A common mistake in privacy screening is improper spacing. For a dense, seamless living wall, we recommended a 5-foot center-to-center spacing.
Furthermore, the heavy clay soils typical of the Germantown and Damascus areas (such as the Brinklow-Blocktown channery silt loams soil series) require careful management. Without the proper root-ball preparation, these trees can struggle with “wet feet” during our rainy Maryland springs. As you can see by the picture above, we used an auger to drill the holes in the clay soil.
Ensuring Long-Term Health: Custom Drip Irrigation
To ensure these specimen trees survive the transition from our nursery to the site, we installed a custom drip irrigation system. A drip system is helpful to customers with busy schedules or those that frequently travel to ensure the trees are receiving proper watering. Drip irrigation benefits:
- Deep Saturation: Unlike sprinklers, drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root ball at the base of the trunk, reducing evaporation, conserving water, and preventing foliar diseases.
- The Botanist’s Note: Deep, consistent watering is the #1 factor in preventing “transplant shock.” By automating this process, we take the guesswork out of maintenance for the homeowner.
Frequently Asked Questions:
For this Germantown project, we utilized a 5-foot center-to-center spacing. This allows the trees enough room to grow without competing for nutrients, while ensuring the foliage overlaps quickly to create a solid “living wall.”
Yes, but they require proper site preparation. In areas like Damascus and Germantown, the heavy clay can trap water around the roots. We ensure the root balls are set slightly high and utilize drip irrigation to maintain a perfect moisture balance.
These are fast-growing evergreens. Once established, you can realistically expect ~2 feet of vertical growth per year, under optimal conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region, until they reach their mature height, making them ideal for screening second-story neighbor views.
Pryor’s Nursery provides professional installation within a 60-mile driving radius of Damascus, Maryland, covering parts of MD, D.C., VA, and WV.
Project Details
- Location: Rive Gauche Estates, Germantown, MD
- Species: Thuja standishii x plicata ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae
To see how different varieties perform in various local landscapes, you can explore our other privacy tree installation projects.
Expert Tip: If you noticed your evergreens looking stressed this spring, check out our recent guide on Holly Winter Burn vs. Yellow Leaves to see if your trees need recovery or replacement.
About the Author: Wade Pryor is a professional botanist and the founder of Pryor’s Nursery . Since 1981, he has installed over 82,000 evergreen trees, specializing in “Living Fence” privacy screens across the Mid-Atlantic region. Learn more about Wade’s expertise here.
