The Thuja Green Giant, also known as Green Giant Arborvitae, is a popular conifer valued in landscaping. Its rapid growth and consistent evergreen foliage make it versatile for various garden and property applications. This tree is a hybrid, combining traits from the Western Red Cedar and Japanese Arborvitae, resulting in a hardy and attractive plant.
Why Thuja Green Giant Excels in Landscaping
The Thuja Green Giant is known for its impressive growth rate, typically adding 3 to 5 feet in height annually once established. It maintains its rich green color throughout the year, providing consistent visual appeal. Its dense foliage forms a natural, uniform conical or pyramidal shape, often without the need for frequent pruning.
This tree exhibits good resistance to many common pests and diseases, including bagworms, and also shows some deer resistance. It adapts to a wide range of soil types, from sandy to heavy clays, and can tolerate both alkaline and acidic conditions, though well-drained soil is preferred. These attributes contribute to its low-maintenance nature.
Creative Landscaping Uses
Thuja Green Giant is frequently used for creating privacy hedges and screens due to its dense growth and rapid height gain. When planted 5 to 6 feet apart, these trees quickly form a thick, living barrier to shield views. For an even denser screen, a staggered double row with plants 4 to 8 feet apart diagonally can be effective.
Beyond privacy, the tree’s dense foliage makes it an effective windbreak, protecting plants from strong gusts. Its ability to absorb sound also contributes to noise reduction. These conifers can serve as natural fences or borders, defining property lines.
Individual Thuja Green Giant trees can also function as accent or specimen plants, providing a strong vertical element and focal point in a garden design. Their uniform shape adds elegance and structure, particularly when used to anchor corners or highlight features. They can be incorporated into foundation plantings around structures, but their mature size requires careful consideration.
Designing with Thuja Green Giant
Proper spacing is important for Thuja Green Giant plantings. For a dense privacy hedge, the recommendation is to plant trees 5 to 6 feet apart. If a less immediate screen is desired, spacing them 8 to 10 feet apart will still provide privacy as they mature. Planting too closely can lead to competition for resources and reduced air circulation, potentially hindering growth and increasing disease risk.
Site selection is important for optimal growth. Thuja Green Giant thrives in full sun, at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, which promotes denser foliage and faster growth. While they can tolerate partial shade, a minimum of four hours of direct light, full sun is preferred. They adapt to many soil types but perform best in well-drained, moist, and fertile loamy soils. Avoid areas with standing water to prevent root issues.
Considering the tree’s mature size is also important; it can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet and widths of 12 to 18 feet. Its mature size means careful planning is needed, particularly when planting near buildings, power lines, or other structures, where a distance of 10 to 15 feet from foundations is advised. When combining Thuja Green Giant with other plants, consider textures and colors that complement its deep green foliage.
Maintaining Your Thuja Green Giant Landscape
Proper watering is important, especially during the establishment period for newly planted Thuja Green Giants. For the first six months, a regular watering schedule is beneficial, providing about an inch of water per week. Once established, natural rainfall is often sufficient, though supplemental watering may be needed during dry or hot periods.
Fertilizing is not extensively required for established Thuja Green Giants unless soil nutrient deficiencies are present. If desired, a balanced evergreen tree and shrub fertilizer can be applied in the spring. Adding organic matter like compost can also enhance fertility.
Minimal pruning is needed for Thuja Green Giants. If pruning is desired for shaping or to manage height, it is best done in late winter or early spring when dormant. Focus on removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and avoid severe cuts that remove more than one-third of the plant at a time, as this can stress the tree.
Thuja Green Giants are resistant to most pests and diseases. However, occasional issues like bagworms or root rot in poorly drained soils can occur. Inspect the foliage for changes in color or signs of pests to address problems early. Ensuring proper drainage is a preventative measure against root rot.