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'Green Giant' Arborvitae (Thuja)
Best choice for homeowners needing a fast-growing, low-maintenance privacy screen.
Create a stunning, fast-growing privacy screen with the 'Green Giant' Arborvitae. This award-winning evergreen hybrid is highly regarded as one of the best privacy trees available, offering lush, colorful foliage year-round. It establishes quickly, growing up to 3 feet per year to form a dense green wall in just a few seasons. Ideal for zones 5-8, these trees thrive in sun to part sun conditions and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Shipped as young plants in 1-gallon containers, they represent an excellent value for establishing robust landscape privacy.
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Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
758
/ 2989
#758 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Botanical name
Thuja plicata x standishii 'Green Giant'
/ Thuja plicata x standishii 'Green Giant'
Who it's for
- Homeowners needing immediate privacy screens
- Gardeners seeking low-stress, adaptable evergreen plants
- Busy landscapers wanting deer-resistant, minimal-care greenery
Who should skip it
- Owners of small yards or tight urban spaces
- Gardeners unable to commit to regular watering schedules
- Residents living in regions with heavy winter snowfall
Performance breakdown
Growth Velocity
Rapid three-foot annual gains create privacy in record time.
Screening Density
Dense, evergreen foliage provides a reliable year-round visual barrier.
Environmental Resilience
Robust structure handles heavy snow and wind with minimal damage.
Maintenance Ease
Natural upright form requires very little pruning to stay tidy.
Establishment Speed
Young container plants adapt quickly to new landscape environments.
Climate Versatility
Reliable performance across zones five through eight.
Key Specs
Botanical name
Thuja plicata x standishii 'Green Giant'
Hardiness Zones
5 - 8
Mature Height
50 feet
Mature Width
10 feet
Growth Rate
Fast
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Partial Sun
Water Requirement
Keep moist, avoid overwatering
Soil Type Preference
Well-Drained
Features
- Fast-growing up to 3 feet annually
- Provides four seasons of evergreen privacy
- Tolerates wind and heavy ice/snow
- Requires minimal pruning maintenance
- Award-winning introduction from U.S. Arboretum
- Thrives in various soil types
- Upright plant form
- Container friendly
What customers say
Customer sentiment for the Green Giant Arborvitae is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on plant vigor and excellent delivery quality. Buyers consistently praise the robust health and established root systems upon arrival, often noting the trees exceed expectations for mail order stock. A key theme is the impressive, rapid growth rate post-planting, confirming the plant's reputation for fast privacy screening. The vendor successfully mitigates shipping risks; secure packaging and moist soil contribute to high survival rates. While minor size inconsistencies occasionally appear in large orders, the overall value proposition is strong. The combination of cost, survival rate, and quick maturity makes this an economical choice for dense hedges, leading to high satisfaction and repeat purchase intent.
Know before you buy
For a dense, continuous privacy hedge, space your 'Green Giant' Arborvitae 5 to 8 feet apart. Planting them closer together will result in a faster-forming wall, while wider spacing allows each tree more room to mature.
Under ideal conditions, these trees are known for their rapid growth, often adding up to 3 feet of height per year. Once established, they quickly develop into a dense, upright screen.
Yes, 'Green Giant' Arborvitae are container-friendly. Ensure you use a large pot with excellent drainage and keep the soil consistently moist, as container-grown plants dry out faster than those in the ground.
One of the best features of this variety is that it requires minimal pruning. Its natural, upright form typically maintains a clean, symmetrical shape on its own.
Yes, they are highly resilient and specifically noted for their ability to tolerate wind and heavy ice or snow loads. They are hardy in zones 5 through 8, making them a reliable choice for colder climates.
These trees perform best in full sun to partial sun and prefer soil that is moist but well-drained. They are quite adaptable to various soil types, provided they are not left in standing water.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.