Both are top privacy choices for Lake Norman properties — but they perform differently in shade, clay soil, and space-limited yards. Here's the honest comparison.
The Two Most Planted Privacy Screens in Lake Norman
Green Giant arborvitae and skip laurel are the two most frequently installed privacy screening plants in the Lake Norman area, and for good reason — both are fast-growing, evergreen, and broadly adapted to the Piedmont climate. But they have genuinely different strengths and weaknesses that affect which one is right for a specific property.
Green Giant Arborvitae
Growth rate: 3–5 feet per year in good conditions — one of the fastest-growing screening trees available in this climate. Mature size: 40–60 feet tall, 12–20 feet wide. Form: Strongly pyramidal, dense, dark green year-round. Sun requirement: Full sun to light shade — struggles in heavy shade and will thin out on the shaded side.
Soil: Tolerates Lake Norman's clay soils reasonably well with proper planting and establishment watering, but not in wet, waterlogged locations. Spacing for screen: 6–8 feet apart for a solid screen over time; 5 feet for faster closure. Cons: Gets large — mature Green Giants are trees, not shrubs. Not a good choice for narrow spaces or properties with overhead utilities in the planting area.
Skip Laurel
Growth rate: 1–2 feet per year — slower than Green Giant but still one of the faster-growing broadleaf options. Mature size: 10–18 feet tall, 5–7 feet wide — significantly more compact than Green Giant. Form: Multi-stem, upright, broadleaf evergreen with glossy leaves and white flower clusters in spring. Sun requirement: Tolerates shade better than Green Giant — a good choice for properties where the screening area is partially shaded.
Soil: Adapts well to clay soils and handles moderate moisture better than Green Giant. Spacing for screen: 4–5 feet apart for a solid screen. Cons: Slower than Green Giant; can develop twig blight in poorly drained soils.
Which to Choose
Green Giant if the planting area is in full sun, you have adequate space for a large tree, and speed is the priority. Skip laurel if the area is partially shaded, space is limited, or you want a hedge that stays at a manageable size without annual trimming. Many Lake Norman properties use both — Green Giants along the back of the property where space allows, skip laurels along side boundaries where the planting area is narrower or partially shaded.
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