🌱 60-DAY RISK-FREE GROW GUARANTEE
Green Giant Arborvitae
What's In The Box
All of our stock is exclusively container-grown in Warren County, Tennessee. Container-grown trees and shrubs have a robust root system, they will be ready to plant on arrival. We measure our plants from root to tip as show in the illustration in the product images.
How Your Plants Arrive
To prepare our plants for transit, we secure the root systems with moisture-retaining gel and/or wet paper, and a protective paper wrapping. This ensures you receive a healthy, fully hydrated plant that is ready to be transitioned straight into your soil. We include a Planing & Care Guide with every order.
Return Policy
We want you to succeed in the garden, so we offer an extended 60-Day Grow Guarantee on all plants and trees to give you peace of mind through the critical planting phase.
Returns
Thuja occidentalis 'Green Giant'
The Ecological Footprint
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Wildlife Shelter: Provides dense, protective cover and nesting sites for songbirds, game birds, and small mammals throughout the harsh winter months.
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Wind & Weather Shield: Acts as a living barrier against harsh winter winds, reducing heating costs when planted strategically near structures.
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Year-Round Interest: Retains its vibrant green color even through freezing temperatures, preventing the dull winter landscape look.
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Urban Adaptability: Demonstrates high tolerance for urban conditions, making it an effective green buffer against traffic and pollution.
The Honest Harvest (What to Expect)
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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.
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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
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Botanical Name: Thuja plicata x standishii 'Green Giant'
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Common Names: Green Giant Arborvitae, Western Red Cedar hybrid
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Mature Height: 30-50 feet
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Mature Width: 12-20 feet
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Growth Rate: Fast (3-5 feet per year under optimal conditions)
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Lifespan: 50+ years
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USDA Zones: 5-8
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Chill Hours: *
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Sun Preference: Full sun to partial shade
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Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining soils; highly adaptable to clay and loam
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Soil pH: Adaptable (4.5-7.5)
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Water Needs: Moderate; prefers regular watering during establishment, drought-tolerant once mature
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Flower Color: Inconspicuous
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Fruit Type: Small, oblong brown cones
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Pollinators: Wind-pollinated
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Growth Habit: Dense, pyramidal to conical evergreen tree
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Spacing: 5-6 feet apart for a fast, solid privacy screen
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Landscape Uses: Privacy screens, windbreaks, hedges, property boundaries, formal entryways
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Maintenance Level: Low (minimal pruning required unless shaping is desired)
Planting & Care Guide
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Hydration: Water deeply and thoroughly after planting, maintaining regular moisture through the root zone during the first couple of growing seasons.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fertilization: Generally not required unless soil is exceptionally poor. A balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer applied in early spring can boost growth if needed.