Ideas for Enjoyment | Key Characteristics | Care Tips

IDEAS FOR ENJOYING YOUR

Green Giant Arborvitae

Thuja x ‘Green Giant’

Reaching impressive heights at maturity, ‘Green Giant’ creates exceptional privacy and structure in landscapes around your home. This versatile variety is strong-rooted and virtually disease-free, making it one of the finest evergreens for use as a hedge, screen, or windbreaker. Its uniformly shaped, dense foliage seldom needs pruning but responds well to shearing so your outdoor spaces will always be on point.

Key Characteristics of your Green Giant Arborvitae

USDA Zones

Zone 5-8

Color

Green; darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter

Sunlight

Full Sun/ Part Shade

Warning

Not for human or animal
consumption

Size

Mature Height: 30-40′ (9-12m)
Mature Width: 12-15′ (3-5m)

Growth Habit

Upright; Pyramidal

Caring for your Green Giant Arborvitae

  • Water your Arb twice weekly the first few months after planting, and then water weekly (about 1 inch of water) for the next year. Once established, make sure they get about 1/2 inch of water weekly, either through rainfall or irrigation. Too little water will cause the foliage to turn yellow or brown, while excessive water may cause needle discoloration and root rot.
  • Arbs like moist but well-drained soil that is mildly acidic to mildly alkaline.
  • Grow in full sun to partial shade. Arbs generally need at least 6 hours of sun daily; too little sunlight will make the plants sparse and leggy.
  • This plant normally does not need feeding. However, if new growth is very sparse or slow, feeding with a balanced fertilizer containing all major nutrients is recommended.
  • Light pruning in the early spring can help ‘Green Giant’ remain neat and foster thicker growth. Prune to maintain the natural shape of the shrub —wider at the bottom and tapering inward toward the top. 
  • To prune, trim the leafy parts of the branch and do not cut back to bare wood. Dead or diseased branches should be removed to prevent decay and improve air circulation.