On Jan 6, 10:06*am, (MICHELLE H.) wrote:
We are probably going to plant either the "Emerald Green" or "Dark
Green" variety of arborvitaes. The "Emeralds" say to plant 2-3 feet
apart, and the "Dark Greens" say to plant 3-4 feet apart. So is this how
far back they should be planted back from the fence as well??

A quick google of: arborvitae emerald green spread
yielded one estimate of the spread of a mature specimen
at four feet. Half that is two feet. Figure out how much
space you'll need for fence maintenance, etc., and add
two feet.

I might like three feet for maintenance (because
I'm clumsy and have a big butt), so the center of your
planting hole might want to be five feet from the fence.
You might get away with a little less; you can squish
backward into the arborvitae while you paint your fence.

Arborvitae require little or no pruning; that's one of their best
features.

Cindy Hamilton