Always take into consideration the location of trees with respect to power lines, buildings or other properties when planting. Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. Please let us know any questions you may have in the comments section below. Avoid planting green giant thujas in the summer when conditions are hot and dry. All Rights Reserved. How to Grow 'Emerald Green' Arborvitae. The big Green Giant is capable of reaching up to 60 feet tall, with a 15-20 feet wide spread across its bottom at full maturity. The mulch will help the keep water near to the roots and keep weeds and grass at bay. These are fast-growing shrubs/trees, so leave 3 to 4 feet between plants if you are planting 'Emerald Green' as a hedge or screen. Though your arborvitae can be planted during any season, there are certain conditions that are not good for it to start off. With lower branches that will eventually extend way out beyond the trunk, Green Giant has a tall, imposing narrow pyramidal habit and can sometimes be conical shaped. Green Giant performs best on moist, fertile, well-drained, loamy soils in full sun to partial shade. Choose a location where the tree will receive full sunlight ideally, or partial shade if necessary. Apply a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree as far out as the drip line. Thujas need plenty of water when young to ensure the roots system gets well established. The most common reason for any newly planted tree to die is lack of water. The dark green foliage of the green giant plant can grow in a wide range of soils. Beloved for their fast growth, arborvitae especially those planted near other trees or in hedges often require fertilizer to thrive. You simply cannot go wrong with Thuja Green Giant they are the fastest growing evergreen trees, can provide privacy in as little as a year, and Perfect Plants has many size options to get you the exact tree you need! Green Giant arborvitae is a big, fast-growing evergreen that will probably top out at around 60 feet tall but with a basal spread of around 15 to 20 feet. These trees get huge and start growing as soon as they are planted. As landscape plants, these trees naturally maintain a narrow column-type shape without pruning or shaping. Thuja Green Giant tree has become one of the most popular trees for creating a living screen. Dig a hole twice as wide and a little deeper than the container the Green Giant arrived in. Filling in will not be a problem. The products I use - https://kit.com/HortTubeThis video is a detailed description of Green Giant Arborvitae. Closer spacing will limit the height of mature trees. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-growing-arborvitae When you grow these trees as a bonsai, you need to consider a few special things. Trim off the branches that are bare, brown or beyond repair. As always, perform a soil test if you are unsure. Green giant thujas are hardy and can usually obtain sufficient nutrients from most types of soil. The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreenshooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. Keep the roots of young trees moist at all times before and during planting as they can quickly die if allowed to dry out completely. The famous Green Giant sprouted a baby! The thuja green giant variety of arborvitae is a fast-growing evergreen that has become very popular for hedges and privacy screens. Green Giant plants typically grow at a rate of 3 feet to 5 feet every year and can quickly and efficiently produce a privacy fence with their immense foliage. The thuja green giant arborvitae growth rate puts on 3-5 feet per year of height. It shouldnt be necessary to prune any of the roots unless they are wound around the circumference of the pot. If youre having a dry spell, or your soil is very sandy, you should water more often with theexpandable hosethat will come really handy. Based in Surrey, British Columbia, Stephen Oakley is a freelance writer focusing on environmental issues, travel and all things outdoors. After that, they should get one inch of water every week or ten days. The best time to plant an Emerald Green Arborvitae is in fall, when the tree will face minimal heat stress and not struggle to grow. Wood chips or shredded bark are good materials to use. How fast do arborvitae branches grow back? This soaks right down into the root zone, and In that case the offending roots should be shortened so that when they are in the ground they will grow outward and not continue growing in a circle. Prune the scaly leaves on the sides of arbs with a hand pruner in early spring. Thuja green giant arborvitae spacing is important so the landscape trees can grow to their maximum potential. When you do choose to shear your "Green Giant" arborvitae, water it well a day or two before and apply a granular fertilizer every two weeks to help it recover. Trim off the branches that are bare, brown or beyond repair. That is the full depth of a full-sized spade and when the tines of the tiller are fully buried in the ground. Mound up some soil in the middle of the hole, 3-6 inches high, and place the center of the root mass on top of the mound, spreading roots out in all directions around the hole. Use an organic mulch that will decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Water the tree thoroughly when planted. Want a similar tree that does not get as large? You have chosen a large growing arborvitae which can have annual rates of growth of 2 feet or more and attain a height of over 50 feet. Prune at the right times. His background includes many years spent working in the Canadian wilderness and traveling worldwide. Keeping them small to fit into the room you have will be the challenge. Prune your green giants only if you are training them as a hedge. Plus, Free Shipping Over $149 Ends This Week! Keep the mulch 3-4 inches out from the trunk. Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. You can test your soil as well for its water retention quality, nutrients, and pH level. Their quick-growing habits and thick growth make them ideal for creating hedges and living fences. How many years do they take for a row of green giant arborvitae trees to grow to 40 feet high if I plant them 6 feet apart? Plant 'Emerald Green' arborvitae in moderately moist, well-drained soil in a full sun to partial shade location. This way, you can make the necessary amendments to improve its structure, nutrients, and pH level. The best time to prune thujas is in the early spring. Cut the arching green ends back as much as 30 percent, but never back into the dead zone. The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreenshooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. After its first year of growth, it can be pruned to fit your needs. Keep the mulch at least 6 inches away from the trunk to avoid rot problems. This is an exceptional landscape tree for use as a screen, hedge, or single specimen. If planting as a specimen tree, make sure you have plenty of room to work with. Perfect for hedges, landscapes, privacy screens, and as accents! If the plant is stuck, you can slip a long-bladed knife around the inside edge to loosen it. Green Giant ArborvitaeThuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant' The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreenshooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. How fast do arborvitae branches grow back? Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. The row(s) should be at least 6-8 feet away from any building, driveway or road. How Much Sun Does a Thuja Green Giant Need? thanks, Well, guess what folks??? A fully mature 60 foot tall green giant thuja can have a spread of anywhere from 12 to 20 feet. Thuja Green Giant evergreen trees grow faster and are said to stay bright green in winter than either parent. Arborvitae needs full sun, nutritious soil and ample water. When the hole is half filled, give it a good soaking of water. You should dig 12 inches deep, if possible. Fast-growing and evergreen Arborvitae rose to the top of the popularity list thanks to the fast-growing, easy-care ways of these trees. Step 2 The Arborvitae Green Giant is a large, vigorous, fast growing evergreen. Thujas need plenty of water when young to ensure the roots system gets well established. But if there is some green growth left, theres hope for your arborvitae! Prune your green giants only if you are training them as a hedge. They are also deer resistant so you dont have to worry about those critters eating your trees. Plant your thujas in direct sunlight if possible, although these trees will tolerate partial shade as well. You can plant any time of the year, but the best time for planting a new tree is in spring, before it gets too hot, while still allowing a whole growing season before winter to establish a strong root system. All Rights Reserved Disclaimer. A row of rich Green Giants will quickly create a privacy screen that blocks the wind and snow, and blocks the view. This way, you can cover the container with plastic to maintain humidity, and you can control the indoor conditions around 65F for faster root development. They grow best in zones 5 through 9. Its fast growth and natural exclamation mark form makes it ideally suited for screening, especially if you are trying to screen a five-story building. It may be necessary to protect during the cold months as a young tree to stop winter burn. Golden Arborvitae. Green Giant Arborvitae Care. Since these are fast-growing plants, leave three to four feet between each if you are planting as a hedge or screen. Copyright 2021 Perfect Plants. Emerald Green Arborvitae Care . Fertilize your trees sparingly if at all. Spread an organic mulch 3-6 inches deep over the root zone and beyond to help hold in soil moisture and prevent weed growth. Therefore, these trees are challenging to grow as bonsai trees. Few garden plants grow faster or taller than the Thuja Green Giant. It is more cold hardy than the Japanese species and more tolerant of a lethal fungus (Didymascella thujina) than the American species. To maintain a low hedge shape, you will need to shear several times during the growing season. How To Speed Up Growth Of Thuja Green Giant Trees. Additionally, are emerald green arborvitae fast growing? Green Giant Arborvitae is a fast-growing hedge that thrives in heat and humidity, which makes it an especially popular hedge choice in the regions around the Southern United States. They will need to be pruned each year after the annual growth hardens off. Instead of a 30-40 tall specimen, Junior Giant will mature at 15-20, making it a much better fit for sites where space is limited. Check out Leyland Cypress for another easy to grow evergreen. Place the pot on its side and slide the root ball out. This enormous and vigorous evergreen shoots up rapidly. But an arborvitae can face a few obstacles that may make it thin out. Fertilize Green Giants each spring with a balanced fertilizer, or one with a higher concentration of nitrogen. Line the driveway with a row of emerald green arborvitae plants to create a barrier that keeps drifting ice and snow away. Begin filling in the hole. Prune your green giants only if you are training them as a hedge. In most areas rainfall is adequate for thujas, but hand watering is needed during dry spells. You can use hay, straw, leaves, pine needles, bark or wood chips, grass clippings, or compost. Gently tamp the surface of the soil around the root ball down with your hands to ensure there are no air pockets near the plants roots. Before starting, thoroughly water the soil in the nursery pot so that the Green Giants roots are fully wetted. When the water has drained, readjust the depth of the stem if necessary and finish filling in the hole. These are fast-growing shrubs/trees, so leave 3 to 4 feet between plants if you are planting 'Emerald Green' as a hedge or screen. Young trees often grow more than 3 feet per year and readily adapt to soils ranging from clay to loam. This will impound water over the roots as it sinks into the soil. Green Giant ArborvitaeThuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant' The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreenshooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. It's natural pyramidal shape boast rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. I usually use the rows of arborvitae as a green back drop for flowering trees and shrubs in front of them. Do not fertilize thujas when planted or during the first year of growth to avoid potential root burn. Build a 3-6 inch high dike of soil on the surface around the outside of the root zone. However, it can be kept compact by regular pruning. The thuja green giant variety of arborvitae is a fast-growing evergreen that has become very popular for hedges and privacy screens. Renew the mulch layer as needed to protect the roots from drying out, freezing, or overheating, and to smother weeds. Follow label directions and be careful to not over-fertilize. Avoid planting green giant thujas in the summer when conditions are hot and dry. It can be pruned into a hedge, but hedging such a potentially large plant must be carefully considered. If you are having an especially hot summer and are experiencing drought, make sure that you wait before planting in the soil. Backfill until the top of the root mass is at the same level it was in the original nursery pot, never lower. This is an exceptional landscape tree for use as a screen, hedge, or single specimen. With sturdy evergreen foliage, Green Giant Arborvitae looks vibrant year-round with great winter color. For a living privacy screen or hedge, a windbreak, or a snow break, position Green Giants 5-6 feet apart. Post planting. And if you judge them by these terms, they still cannot be beat. You can test your soil as well for its water retention quality, nutrients, and pH level. Water and Fertilizer for Thuja Green Giant For the quickest growth in that first season, water-soluble fertilizer gives the best results. Mothers Day Sale Extra 10% Off This Weekend Only! You may be wondering how fast do arborvitae grow? You may have to pull the plant up as you backfill. If an arborvitae hedge ever outgrows its location, it cannot be cut back like a broadleaf plant. Ideal conditions in USDA planting zones 5 and 6, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight is best; in warmer climates, a little shade, especially in the afternoon, wont hurt. Slow-release fertilizers are best like the one Perfect Plants offers. Six hours of direct sunlight a day will suffice. The Thuja Green Giant can grow 1 to 3 feet per year, but you must plant and grow it correctly. Spread an organic mulch 3-6 inches deep over the root zone and beyond to help hold in soil moisture and prevent weed growth. Plant at least two feet away from fences. The green needles may darken to reddish brown or bronze slightly in winter. Choose a spot with full or partial sunlight. I live in Northern California. One way to know if something is wrong with your thuja is by watching the evergreen needles.