They look to have been bare root specimens ready for shipping, didn't sell, so then they put them in pots. You cannot plant them what looks like <12" from the fence. And maybe 36" spacing? Mature size of plants have to be considered when planting.

The ascending branch structure makes them look more like Leyland cypress than GG arborvitae. And I agree that whatever they are, that planting situation and spacing is far too constricting. Even for the vary narrow growing arbs like Smaragd or American Pillar.

They look like green giants to me. But there are maybe 5 arborvitaes that look like them. They grow very fast. Particularly when young. They may grow up to 5' in a single year. They'll fill in once they've past their young growth spurt.

I agree they're planted way too close. They should be spaced 4-5' minimum. I have a row where they're spaced around 7' in a zig zag pattern and the bottom 8' or so overlap each other.

Look like GG to me, your pics are a little blurry so it could be cypress. Regardless, like others have said, there is no where near enough space in that strip for either tree...or really any tree. GG's will block half that driveway and possibly push that vinyl fence out in a matter of a few years. Hence the name "Green Giant".

they should be planted 5 to 8 feet from the fence

ken