9-Foot Green Emerald Arborvitaes Create Instant Poolside Privacy

Privacy is one of the most common things homeowners ask us about. Nobody wants to feel like they're on display every time they step outside - especially around a pool. A fence alone can get the job done structurally, but it doesn't exactly make a space feel warm or finished.

That's where a well-planned planting row comes in. We installed a line of 9-foot Green Emerald Arborvitaes along the back fence line of this yard, and the difference is immediate. These trees are narrow, dense, and stay green year-round - which means the screening works just as well in January as it does in July. No leaf drop, no bare gaps. Just consistent coverage.

What makes this variety a smart choice is how low-maintenance it is once established. Green Emeralds grow in a tight, columnar shape naturally, so they don't require heavy pruning to stay looking clean. We paired the planting with fresh black mulch along the bed, which keeps moisture in around the root zones and gives the whole area a sharp, polished look right from day one.

The bed itself follows a gentle curve along the fence, which softens the straight line of the vinyl and ties the back of the yard together visually. Combined with the rounded shrubs already in place on the other side of the yard, this space has a real sense of structure now - something that feels intentional rather than thrown together.

If your yard or pool area feels too open or exposed, a privacy planting like this is one of the more practical and lasting ways to fix it. The right tree in the right spot goes a long way.