Arborvitae ‘Green Giant’

Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae is a fast-growing evergreen valued for its impressive height, dense foliage, and naturally uniform pyramidal form. This hybrid of Japanese arborvitae (Thuja standishii) and Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) develops into a tall, substantial evergreen that can create an effective privacy screen in a relatively short amount of time. Under good growing conditions, it can add several feet of growth each year, making it one of the more vigorous choices for homeowners who need screening without waiting many years for a hedge to mature.

The foliage consists of glossy, scale-like leaves arranged in dense, flattened sprays along the branches. The rich green color remains attractive throughout the winter, providing year-round structure, screening, and visual interest. Its naturally dense growth habit makes younger plants particularly effective when planted as a hedge or privacy screen, while mature specimens can serve as impressive evergreen anchors in larger properties. Small green cones develop on the branches and mature to brown, but the plant is grown primarily for its foliage and strong architectural form.

Green Giant performs best in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils and tolerates periods of drought once established, although consistent moisture produces the strongest growth. It is also notably resistant to many common pest and disease problems and is generally more resistant to deer browsing than many other arborvitae. Avoid planting it in areas with salty soil or heavy salt spray. Because of its rapid growth and eventual size, careful placement is important, particularly near buildings, walkways, property lines, and overhead structures.

Care Instructions:

Planting: Plant in full sun to partial shade with the top of the root ball level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade.
Soil: Adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils, but performs best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Watering: Water deeply and regularly during establishment, then provide supplemental water during extended periods of drought or summer heat.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring if needed; avoid excessive fertilizer.
Pruning: Little pruning is necessary because Green Giant naturally develops a uniform pyramidal shape; light trimming can be used to maintain a desired screen width or shape.
Spacing: Allow approximately 8–12 feet between plants for a dense screen while providing room for mature growth; wider spacing may be appropriate when individual tree forms are desired.
Maintenance: Maintain consistent moisture during establishment, mulch around the root zone without piling mulch against the trunk, remove dead or damaged branches, and monitor occasionally for pests.

For larger properties, Green Giant is an excellent solution for creating a tall privacy screen, windbreak, or living boundary. Plants can be arranged in rows or groups to create a dense evergreen barrier, while individual specimens can provide strong vertical structure in expansive landscapes. Its rapid growth makes it especially useful when privacy is needed sooner rather than later. Keep in mind that this is a large tree, not a small hedge shrub, so adequate room should be provided for its mature height and spread.

Landscape Solutions:

• Rapid growth makes it useful when a tall evergreen screen is needed without a long wait for maturity.
• Its substantial mature size makes it particularly effective for screening expansive yards, property lines, and large open areas.
• Rows of Green Giant can help reduce wind exposure around larger properties.
• Dense evergreen branches offer shelter and cover for birds throughout the year.