Can you use Tiamanti Thuja for a solid planted fence?

[Cod]

Hi folks.

Has anyone been successful in planting Tiamanti Thuja (Smaragd) for a solid fence rather than it's poor ugly counsin, the Brabant which seems more popular.

The problem seems to be that the Smargd grows tall and narrow and the Brabant grows wider, so filling in the gaps. But the word from a few websites is that you can fatten up a Smargd but lopping off its top regularly, forcing the growth into it's middle.

http://www.plantagen.fi/Valikko/Ulkokas ... s-Smaragd/

Any ideas would be hugely appreciated!

[Pursuivant]

Well how about planting them closer to each other?

[EP]

My neighbour has them. Not a whole fence, but 3-4 as some kind of "divider" between cars and a terrace. He cuts them regularly, and they look fine. I can easily see them as fence trees.

[EP]

And yes, they are planted close to each other.

[Cod]

..reason I ask is that I get the 'stupid foreigner' look from the bloke at K-Rauta since 'everyone uses Brabant in this country'- and I was thinking well, maybe, it just doesn't grow well when the roots are too close together in a freezing climate - too close for comfort - a bit like being stuck in the lift with your boss.

I think no matter what I use the Estlink will fry it over winter anyway when the swamp rises and shorts the cable

[Rosamunda]

We got the Brabants because...

- they grow faster
- they don't mind the shade
- they are hardier
- they don't seem to be so vulnerable to the thuja disease (can't remember the name of it)

and I think they were probably cheaper.

Ours hide an ugly wooden fence (once painted white) and serve that purpose well. I have planted all kinds of other things in front of them so you can hardly see them anyway in the summer. I don't think they look so bad. And they are certainly better than the dreaded Leylandii from back home.

Yes, chopping the top off will encourage them to become more bushy.