Green Giant (Thuja Tree)

Elevate your landscape quickly and impressively with Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'. Known for its fast growth and towering presence, this evergreen arborvitae is ideal for creating robust, reliable privacy barriers and windbreaks.

Key Features:

• Rapid Growth: Quickly establishes tall, dense hedges, ideal for large spaces.

• Rich Evergreen Foliage: Dark green foliage retains vibrant color throughout the seasons.

• Durable and Hardy: Tolerates a wide range of soils, resistant to drought, pests, and diseases.

• Adaptable Landscaping: Excellent as a privacy screen, windbreak, accent, or standalone tree.

For best results, plant Green Giant Arborvitae in full sun with moist, well-drained soil

• Full Sun (Recommended): Green Giant thrives with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Plants receiving full sun develop thicker, more robust foliage and achieve their maximum growth potential of 3-5 feet annually.
• Partial Shade (Acceptable): While adaptable to partial shade, the plant requires a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight daily. Growth rate may be slower with less dense branching compared to full sun plantings. In regions with intense summer heat, some afternoon shade can be beneficial.
• Full Shade (Not Recommended): Like most evergreen conifers, Green Giant will struggle in deep shade conditions. Plants become weak, sparse, and fail to reach their full size potential.

Bottom Line: Green Giant adapts to various light conditions but achieves peak performance in full to partial sun locations. Choose the sunniest available spot for fastest establishment and densest screening.

Plant Specifications:

• Mature Height: 40–60 feet
• Mature Spread: 12–18 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Preferences: Adaptable, well-drained soil preferred
• USDA Zones: 5–8

Planting Guide:

Site Selection

Select a location with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Avoid low areas where water collects.

Hole Preparation

• Width: 2–3× wider than the root ball
• Depth: No deeper than the root ball height

The tree should sit on undisturbed soil, not loose backfill.
If drainage is marginal, lightly mound soil in the center to prevent settling.

Important: Do not dig deeper than necessary. Planting too deep is a leading cause of decline.

Proper Planting Depth (Critical)

• Plant at grade or slightly above grade
• Top of root ball should sit 0–1 inch above surrounding soil
• Root flare must remain visible at finished grade
• Never plant below surrounding soil level

When finished, you should clearly see where the trunk transitions into the roots.

Backfill

• Use the same native soil removed from the hole
• Do not heavily amend the planting hole
• Avoid creating a “bathtub effect” in clay soils

Firm soil gently to remove air pockets without compacting.

Mulch

• Apply 2–3 inches of mulch
• Keep mulch 1–2 inches away from the trunk
• Do not mound mulch against the bark

Watering

Water deeply immediately after planting.
Continue regular deep watering during establishment, especially in the first growing season.

Heavy Clay Soils

• Plant 1–2 inches high
• Lightly slope soil away from trunk
• Avoid over-amending soil inside the hole

Proper elevation prevents oxygen deprivation and root disease.

Why Depth Matters

Planting too deep:

• Reduces oxygen to roots
• Increases risk of root rot
• Promotes girdling roots
• Causes slow decline over several years

Improper depth is a common failure point in arborvitae installations.

Spacing Guide for Privacy Screening:

• Plant 5–6 feet apart to form effective, continuous privacy screens.

Add dramatic impact and dependable privacy to your landscape with Thuja plicata 'Green Giant', the powerful evergreen solution.