A tall, dense evergreen tree with lush green foliage standing on a grassy lawn, with other trees and a pale blue sky in the background.

Green Giant Arborvitae

2-3ft
$51.95
$51.95
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A tall, dense evergreen tree with lush green foliage standing on a grassy lawn, with other trees and a pale blue sky in the background.
  • A tall, dense evergreen tree with lush green foliage standing on a grassy lawn, with other trees and a pale blue sky in the background.
  • Close-up of bright green conifer branches with delicate, scale-like leaves against a soft, blurred green background.
  • Plant size guide showing different plant heights with corresponding measurements.
  • A row of tall, dense green evergreen trees planted along a curved concrete pathway beside a manicured green lawn under a clear blue sky.
  • A vibrant garden scene featuring a prominent bright yellow-green conical tree in the center, surrounded by colorful shrubs in yellow, orange, blue, and green, under a blue sky with white clouds.
  • A tall, dense evergreen tree with lush green foliage standing on a grassy lawn, with other trees and a pale blue sky in the background.
  • Close-up of bright green conifer branches with delicate, scale-like leaves against a soft, blurred green background.
  • Plant size guide showing different plant heights with corresponding measurements.
  • A row of tall, dense green evergreen trees planted along a curved concrete pathway beside a manicured green lawn under a clear blue sky.
  • A vibrant garden scene featuring a prominent bright yellow-green conical tree in the center, surrounded by colorful shrubs in yellow, orange, blue, and green, under a blue sky with white clouds.
Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae

$51.95
$51.95
Size

Thuja occidentalis 'Green Giant'

The Green Giant Arborvitae is a majestic, fast-growing evergreen conifer renowned for its ability to create dense, living privacy screens and windbreaks in record time. With its classic pyramidal shape, rich dark green foliage that holds its color year-round, and remarkable resilience, it is a premier choice for large-scale landscaping.

As a vigorous grower, it establishes quickly, putting on impressive annual height gains while maintaining a strong central leader and an attractive, natural silhouette. It handles shearing exceptionally well, allowing it to be shaped into a formal hedge or left to grow into a stately, natural screen that deters unwanted views and muffles neighborhood noise.

The Ecological Footprint

  • Wildlife Shelter: Provides dense, protective cover and nesting sites for songbirds, game birds, and small mammals throughout the harsh winter months.

  • Wind & Weather Shield: Acts as a living barrier against harsh winter winds, reducing heating costs when planted strategically near structures.

  • Year-Round Interest: Retains its vibrant green color even through freezing temperatures, preventing the dull winter landscape look.

  • Urban Adaptability: Demonstrates high tolerance for urban conditions, making it an effective green buffer against traffic and pollution.

The Honest Harvest (What to Expect)

  • The Perks: Exceptionally fast growth rate, highly disease and pest-resistant, very low maintenance once established, and adaptable to a wide range of soil types.

  • The Caveats: Can grow quite large, so it requires adequate space away from power lines and tight property lines. Heavy wet snow or ice can occasionally weigh down branches, though they typically spring back.

Specifications

  • Botanical Name: Thuja plicata x standishii 'Green Giant'

  • Common Names: Green Giant Arborvitae, Western Red Cedar hybrid

  • Mature Height: 30-50 feet

  • Mature Width: 12-20 feet

  • Growth Rate: Fast (3-5 feet per year under optimal conditions)

  • Lifespan: 50+ years

  • USDA Zones: 5-8

  • Chill Hours: *

  • Sun Preference: Full sun to partial shade

  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining soils; highly adaptable to clay and loam

  • Soil pH: Adaptable (4.5-7.5)

  • Water Needs: Moderate; prefers regular watering during establishment, drought-tolerant once mature

  • Flower Color: Inconspicuous

  • Fruit Type: Small, oblong brown cones

  • Pollinators: Wind-pollinated

  • Growth Habit: Dense, pyramidal to conical evergreen tree

  • Spacing: 5-6 feet apart for a fast, solid privacy screen

  • Landscape Uses: Privacy screens, windbreaks, hedges, property boundaries, formal entryways

  • Maintenance Level: Low (minimal pruning required unless shaping is desired)

Planting & Care Guide

  • Hydration: Water deeply and thoroughly after planting, maintaining regular moisture through the root zone during the first couple of growing seasons.

  • Siting: Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Ensure enough lateral space for the tree to reach its mature width without crowding structures.

  • Mulching: Apply a 3-to-4-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, keeping the mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

  • Establishment: Monitor closely during dry spells in the first year. Once established, Green Giant develops a deep root system that increases its resilience to dry spells.

  • Pruning: Little to no pruning is necessary. If desired, light pruning to shape or control height can be done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Avoid cutting back into bare, old wood where needles will not regrow.

  • Fertilization: Generally not required unless soil is exceptionally poor. A balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer applied in early spring can boost growth if needed.

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