Arborvitae cost per tree typically ranges from $25 to $300 for the plant alone, with larger specimens and premium varieties costing more. Installed prices commonly run $150-$600 per tree, depending on height, delivery distance, soil conditions, and planting labor.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tree only | $25 | $90 | $300 | Variety and height drive price |
| Planting labor | $50 | $125 | $250 | Per tree; excludes major excavation |
| Installed tree | $100 | $250 | $600 | Typical small-to-large stock |
| Hedge planting | $12 | $35 | $75 | Per linear foot, plants and labor |
Assumptions: U.S. estimates for common varieties, standard nursery stock, accessible yards, and ordinary soil. Regional quotes and local taxes vary.
What a planted arborvitae costs by tree height
Small 1- to 2-foot arborvitae in nursery pots usually cost $25-$60 each. A 3- to 4-foot plant commonly costs $60-$150, while 5- to 6-foot specimens often run $150-$300. Trees above 6 feet may cost $300-$700 or more before delivery and installation, particularly if they are field-grown or balled and burlapped.
For a typical homeowner buying 3- to 5-foot Green Giant or Emerald Green arborvitae, a reasonable plant-only budget is $80-$180 per tree. Installed totals often average $200-$350 per tree for straightforward planting. Height is the clearest price signal, but the quoted size should be checked against the nursery’s measurement method.
How nursery stock, labor, and delivery shape the quote
Tree prices are only one part of a landscape quote. Contractors may include soil amendments, digging, staking, watering, delivery, and debris removal as separate charges or bundled services. The ranges below show common costs for ordinary residential work; large root balls, restricted access, or long delivery routes can push charges higher.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree, 3- to 5-foot | $60 | $120 | $220 per tree |
| Planting labor | $50 | $125 | $250 per tree |
| Soil, mulch, and stakes | $10 | $30 | $75 per tree |
| Delivery | $50 | $100 | $250 per order |
| Removal or disposal | $25 | $75 | $150 per tree |
Delivery is often a flat fee, so ordering several trees together can reduce its per-tree share. Some landscapers charge a minimum project fee of $150-$400 even when planting only one or two trees. Ask whether the quote includes delivery, amendments, cleanup, and a return visit for warranty claims.
Which variety and root-ball size changes arborvitae pricing?
Green Giant typically grows quickly and can be economical for privacy rows, while compact Emerald Green varieties are popular for narrower spaces and can cost more per foot of mature height. Specialty cultivars, unusual shapes, and larger specimens may carry a 20%-60% premium over common stock. Bare-root plants can be less expensive than container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees, but availability is seasonal and handling needs differ.
Root-ball diameter also matters. A 2-foot plant in a small pot is much easier to transport and set than a 6-foot tree with a heavy root ball. Planting a specimen with a root ball over 18 inches wide may require two workers or equipment, adding $75-$200 or more. Compare both height and container or root-ball size before treating two nursery prices as equivalent.
How much planting labor takes for a row of trees?
A landscaper may spend 30-60 minutes planting a small tree in prepared, accessible ground. Larger 5- to 6-foot stock can take 1-2 hours per tree, especially when the crew must move heavy root balls, remove existing shrubs, or work around irrigation lines. Common crew rates are about $50-$100 per worker-hour, though companies may price by the tree or project.
A straight row of 10 trees can take a two-person crew roughly 4-8 hours, including layout and cleanup. Rocky soil, slopes, buried utilities, and hand-carrying plants through narrow gates extend the schedule. Labor estimates should specify the number of trees, planting depth, spacing, and whether old plants or sod will be removed.
How regional nursery and labor rates shift the total
Prices vary with nursery supply, wages, freight, and local demand. In many lower-cost Midwest and Southern markets, standard installed trees may be 10%-20% below a comparable quote in a major coastal metro. Urban Northeast and West Coast projects can run 15%-35% higher than national midrange estimates, particularly when access is limited or delivery requires special equipment.
Rural buyers may pay less for labor but more for delivery if the nursery is far away. In cold climates, the selection of hardy varieties and planting season can also affect availability. Compare at least two local estimates using the same tree variety, height, root-ball size, and planting scope.
When delivery, old hedges, and site preparation add charges
Nursery delivery commonly costs $50-$250 per order, with additional fees possible for long distances, large trucks, or small-load minimums. Removing existing shrubs may add $25-$150 per plant, while stump or root removal can cost more. Soil replacement, drainage correction, and irrigation adjustments are usually quoted separately rather than included in a basic planting rate.
For hedge rows, spacing changes the total substantially. Trees planted 3 feet apart require about 4 plants per 12-foot stretch; spacing them 4 feet apart requires about 3. The tighter layout costs more upfront and may need more pruning as plants mature. Confirm the planned spacing and any disposal or soil work before accepting a per-tree installation price.
Three arborvitae quotes for common yard projects
A small privacy starter with five 3-foot trees might include $75 plants, 45 minutes of labor per tree at $65 per hour, and $80 delivery. That works out to about $780 total, or $156 per tree, before tax and any site repairs.
A mid-size row of eight 5-foot trees might use $180 plants, one hour of labor per tree at $75 per hour, $160 in delivery, and $200 for mulch and stakes. The estimated total is $2,360, or $295 per tree. A premium screen with six 6-foot specimens at $350 each, heavier planting labor, and delivery can reach $3,200-$4,200 overall.
These examples assume ordinary access and prepared planting locations. Use the itemized total, not just the advertised tree price, when comparing installation bids.
Where a smaller tree or shared delivery trims the bill
Choosing 3- to 4-foot stock instead of 5- to 6-foot trees can cut plant and installation spending by 25%-50%, although the privacy screen takes longer to fill in. Buying a common variety in season and consolidating delivery with neighbors or other landscape work can also lower the effective price. Nursery pickup may save the delivery fee if a suitable vehicle and safe loading are available.
Keep the scope consistent when requesting bids: specify variety, height, count, spacing, removal, mulch, and watering needs. Avoid paying for premium-size stock when smaller plants meet the design goal, but do not economize on correct planting depth or drainage. The most dependable savings come from reducing unnecessary size and delivery charges, not from skipping essential site preparation.