Thuja 'Green Giant' Arborvitae
Best fast-growing evergreen for homeowners seeking instant, low-maintenance privacy.
The Thuja 'Green Giant' Arborvitae is a remarkably fast-growing conifer, adding 3-5 feet annually to create a dense, fragrant evergreen screen. This hybrid western red cedar is ideal for privacy or windbreaks, maintaining its full, pyramidal shape to the ground without needing frequent shearing. It thrives in various soil types and tolerates both full sun and partial shade, making it a vigorous and low-maintenance landscape choice. Its natural resistance to pests, ice, and snow ensures a healthy, attractive presence in your garden year-round.
$25.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
7
/ 1209
#7 in Trees
Price vs Category Average
-76%
Below average
Mature Height
50
/ Feet
Who it's for
- Homeowners needing an immediate, dense privacy screen
- Gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, deer-resistant landscape
- Busy landscapers wanting a naturally structured, tidy evergreen
Who should skip it
- Plant owners who prefer a hands-off, zero-maintenance experience
- Property owners with limited space or nearby utility lines
- Gardeners unable to commit to regular watering schedules
Performance breakdown
Growth Velocity
Unmatched vertical gains make this the gold standard for rapid screening.
Privacy Density
Foliage stays thick to the ground, effectively blocking unwanted sightlines.
Environmental Resilience
Superior resistance to heavy snow and ice prevents structural branch damage.
Maintenance Effort
Natural pyramidal habit eliminates the need for constant, tedious shearing.
Deer Resistance
Reliably deters browsing animals better than most other common evergreen varieties.
Site Adaptability
Thrives across diverse soil conditions and varying levels of sun exposure.
Key Specs
Mature Height
50 Feet
Mature Width
12 Feet
Hardiness Zones
5 - 9
Foliage Color
Dark Green
Habit
Pyramidal
Growth Rate
Fast Growing (3 to 5 feet per year)
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Part Shade
Genus
Thuja
Features
- Extremely fast growth rate
- Dense foliage for privacy
- Highly resistant to ice and snow
- Fragrant foliage
- Maintains dense foliage to the ground
- Deer repellent qualities
- Tolerates various soil types
- Low maintenance
What customers say
Customers consistently highlight the exceptional quality and reliability of the Thuja 'Green Giant' Arborvitae. Reviewers frequently note that the plants arrive healthy and well packaged, establishing quickly with minimal effort. The rapid growth rate is a major advantage, confirming its reputation as a superior choice for fast privacy screening. This dependable performance solidifies its strong value for homeowners seeking immediate landscape impact. Its consistent health and quick establishment make it a standout option for creating privacy screens efficiently.
Know before you buy
For a dense, continuous privacy screen, space your Green Giant Arborvitae 5 to 6 feet apart. This allows enough room for the trees to mature while ensuring their branches eventually touch to create a solid wall.
While no plant is 100% deer-proof, the Green Giant is significantly more resistant to deer browsing than other popular arborvitae varieties. They are a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a common concern.
Yes, the Green Giant is exceptionally sturdy. Its strong branch structure and dense habit make it highly resistant to damage from heavy snow and ice accumulation compared to other evergreen species.
No, these trees naturally maintain a full, uniform pyramidal shape all the way to the ground without the need for regular shearing. They are a true 'plant it and forget it' option for low-maintenance landscaping.
Absolutely. While they perform best in full sun, they are quite adaptable and will grow well in partial shade. Just keep in mind that growth may be slightly slower in shadier spots.
Because this variety grows at an impressive rate of 3 to 5 feet per year, you can expect a noticeable screen to form much faster than with most other conifers. Depending on the size of the tree at planting, you can typically achieve significant coverage within just a few seasons.
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$26