Arborvitae Green Giant
Arborvitae Green Giant
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The Arborvitae 'Green Giant' is a powerhouse in the landscaping world. It is a hybrid between the Western Red Cedar and the Japanese Arborvitae, specifically bred to be a faster-growing, more resilient alternative to the disease-prone Leyland Cypress. This tree is the ultimate choice for a "living privacy fence." Because of its pyramidal shape and massive size, it creates a windbreak and visual screen much faster than almost any other evergreen. The Green Giant's rich green color remains outstanding throughout the hardiness range. It has no serious pest or disease problems and has been widely grown and tested in commercial nursery production.
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Scientific Name |
Thuja standishii x plicata |
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Foliage: Evergreen |
It maintains a rich, dark green color year-round. In the winter, it may develop a slight bronze tint in very cold climates, but it quickly returns to bright green in spring. Foliage: Dense, rich green, scale-like foliage in flattened sprays borne on horizontal to ascending branches; good winter color except, perhaps, in the southeast. Fruit: Persistent, oblong cones, approximately 1/2 inch length. Cones emerge green and mature to brown. |
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Mature Height |
40 – 60 feet |
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Mature Width (Spread) |
12 – 18 feet |
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Growth Rate |
Very Fast (typically 3–5 feet per year) |
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USDA Zone |
5 – 8 (Can struggle in the extreme humidity of Zone 9) |
Plant Care & Characteristics
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade. It prefers full sun (at least 6 hours) for the densest foliage. While it can handle partial shade, it may become slightly more "open" or thin in appearance.
Water Requirements: Moderate. It likes regular watering, especially during its first two years. Once established, it is quite self-sufficient, but it prefers moist, well-drained soil rather than bone-dry earth.
Drought Resistance: Moderate. It is more drought-tolerant than most other Arborvitae varieties, but it will show stress (browning needles) during prolonged periods of extreme heat without supplemental water.
Soil Type: Adaptable. It thrives in almost any soil type—sandy, loamy, or clay—provided it is well-drained. It is also surprisingly tolerant of alkaline soils.
Deer Resistance: High. Unlike the Thuja occidentalis (Emerald Green Arborvitae), which deer treat like a buffet, 'Green Giant' is much less palatable to them. They rarely touch it once it’s established.