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Arborvitae or Thuja trees are low maintenance, versatile, evergreen trees that range from small to large in size. Arborvitaes have reddish-brown bark and their soft, delicate scale-like leaves are arranged into fan shaped branchlets. This group of evergreens are mildly aromatic and soft to the touch. Thujas are most often used as privacy trees for hedges or privacy screens.
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Green Giant Arborvitae can grow 3 to 5 feet per year. The growth rate for the Emerald Green Arborvitae is about 1 to 2 feet per year. Large Thuja trees tend to grow at a fast rate with smaller or dwarf arborvitae trees growing at a moderate rate. Although the rates vary with the size of the tree, all Thuja spp tend to grow at a fairly fast rate in relation to their mature size.
Thuja Green Giants and other large Arborvitae can be planted as close as 5 feet apart for a dense privacy hedge. These trees grow 10 to 15 feet wide so for space in between trees you want to give each tree more than 15 feet of total space. Thuja Emerald Green grows 4 to 5 feet wide as an individual specimen, but can be planted as close as 3 feet apart on center.
Water you tree in the pot prior to planting. Dig a hole about twice the width of the root ball and not quite as deep. Put your tree evenly in the hole and be sure the top of the root ball is slightly higher than the existing soil line. Backfill the soil and water deeply until the ground is thoroughly saturated. Apply a 1 to 2 inch thick mound of pine straw or pine bark mulch to reduce watering needs and keep weeds away. Extend the mulch a couple inches beyond the tree’s canopy. Pine mulch helps acidify the soil over time.
Arborvitae Trees do not need to be pruned other than to remove a broken or dead branch from time to time. In fact certain types of pruning, like topping, can forever change the shape of your tree. You may like the side effects of topping if you are creating a hedge. Otherwise avoid this type of pruning. The best time to prune most Thuja Trees is in early spring, but minor trimming can be done at anytime. Avoid pruning trees in late fall. Pruning encourages new growth that can be damaged by harsh temperatures.
Bagworms are a pain for Arborvitae Trees. The little green to brown cone looking cocoons are easy to miss. And once you notice them, they can be quite a problem. Look for bags in winter to alert you to the problem and caterpillar emergence in spring to determine the ideal time to treat bagworms. You want to treat your tree when the caterpillars are emerging and active. You can treat bagworms with Bacillus thuringiensis, spinosad, permethrin, carbaryl, or malathion between late May and June. Spray your entire tree to ensure full coverage. If your tree is young or small just trim off the bags and dispose of them.
Emerald Green Thujas are the stunning little sister of the Green Giant. If you are looking for a similar tree, but you have a smaller space, the Emerald Green is a perfect choice. This variety is a showy evergreen with a full, lacy look. While big brother, Green Giant, shows off with rapid growth, little sis, Arborvitae Emerald Green, shows off with a delicate, almost feminine flair that will have everyone admiring your new landscape addition!
The adorable dwarf evergreen tree is perfect for tight spaces and pots. From golden to lime green foliage in spring and summer to rusty orange in fall to burgundy purple in winter, this little Arborvitae puts on quite a show!
Because of its hardiness, rapid growth, and minimal maintenance requirements, the fast growing Green Giant tree is an extremely popular evergreen and privacy tree. Growing about 4 feet a year, this superstar will filter out everything you don’t want to see and fast!
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