Cedars should be planted 2 to 3 feet apart for a dense privacy hedge, or 4 to 6 feet apart for a more natural, open screen in Northern Ontario. Cedar spacing depends on how quickly you want a solid privacy screen and how much you want to invest upfront. Closer spacing creates a dense hedge faster but requires more trees. Wider spacing costs less initially but takes longer to fill in. Martin Services plants cedar hedges across Powassan, North Bay, and surrounding areas and helps property owners choose the right spacing based on their privacy goals, budget, and timeline.
Spacing for Dense Privacy Hedges
For a tight privacy hedge that blocks sight lines as quickly as possible, plant cedars 2 to 3 feet apart, measured from the centre of one tree to the centre of the next. At this spacing, Eastern White Cedar — the most common species used for hedges in the North Bay area — will typically fill in to form a solid screen within 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of the trees at planting and growing conditions. Emerald cedars, which have a narrower columnar shape, can be planted as close as 2 feet apart. Larger specimen cedars — 5 to 6 feet tall at planting — will create a nearly immediate privacy screen at 2 to 3 foot spacing, though the higher upfront cost reflects the larger plant material. Martin Services sources quality cedar stock and plants at the correct depth and spacing for your specific site conditions.
Factors That Affect Cedar Spacing
Beyond the basic spacing guidelines, several site-specific factors influence how far apart your cedars should be planted. Soil quality matters — cedars in rich, well-drained soil grow faster and fill in sooner, which means you might be able to space them slightly wider and still achieve a solid screen within a reasonable timeframe. Wind exposure is another factor — properties exposed to prevailing northwest winds in the North Bay area benefit from closer spacing, as the denser hedge provides better wind protection. The purpose of the planting also guides spacing decisions. A formal clipped hedge along a property line needs tight spacing, while a naturalized cedar screen along a rural property boundary can be spaced wider for a more relaxed look. With 35 years of experience, Martin Services assesses your soil, sun exposure, wind patterns, and privacy goals to recommend the spacing that delivers the best results for your property.
Want a cedar hedge planted on your property? Call Martin Services at (249) 506-9211 for a free estimate on privacy hedge planting. We can quote most jobs right over the phone — no waiting for a site visit.