How Should I Plant An Emerald Green Arborvitae?

Plant this evergreen in a place that has eight hours of sun exposure per day. Dig a hole 2" wider than the root ball and place it in a spot with well-drained soil. You should water your newly planted trees every 3-5 days and only once a month if dormant. We advise that you fertilize at the time of planting. You should also fertilize once a year, preferably in the spring.

How Fast Do Emerald Green Arborvitae Grow?

This evergreen is relatively slow growing. In most grow zones, you can expect increases in height of no more than 12” per year.

How Should I Prune This Arborvitae?

These trees don't require regular pruning. However, overgrown branches can be trimmed back in early spring to promote thicker growth. 

How Far From A Fence Should This Tree Be Planted?

Your tree should be planted at least 4 feet from a fence or building. This will allow your foliage to get proper airflow. If you expect to need access to the space behind the tree once it’s fully grown, allow additional room for growth.

The Emerald Green Thuja is one of the easiest trees to grow. They are for the most part maintenance free. This means you can spend your time enjoying your trees rather than fussing over them. This hardy evergreen is pest and disease resistant. Once established these trees are drought tolerant.

Emerald Arborvitae trees need to be watered heavily at time of planting. Be sure not to let your new trees dry out within the first few months before they are established. Water deeply about 2 times per week rather than smaller amounts several times per week. This ensures that the roots grow properly. We recommend watering your trees as soon as they arrive even before you plant them. This will ensure that the roots are moist and ready for planting. Adding 2-3 inches of mulch is a great choice for newly planted Emerald Green Arborvitaes. This will help keep the soil moist during the crucial early period when the roots are acclimating to their new home.

Plant your arborvitae in full sun. Ideally, it should be in a location that gets 8 hours of sunlight per day. This evergreen is adaptable to various soil types and environmental conditions. This includes sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Make sure the location isn't prone to standing water and drains well. Fertilize when planting. Additionally, fertilize once yearly in spring with a balanced, slow release fertilizer. Avoid harsh chemical fertilizers that can burn the roots of your new tree. 

These trees are low-maintenance and do not require pruning. Of course it's always optional if there's a specific look you want to achieve.

Some bronzing is typical for this tree during very cold winters. However, it's merely cosmetic and will fade away in the spring.

To create a privacy hedge, space your new trees about 3-4 feet apart on center. This will create faster privacy. To showcase individual Emerald Thujas, plant them at least 6 feet apart.

If you are seeking a nice specimen tree with some height (but not too much), plant an Emerald Arborvitae in front of your home. You can highlight your trees by planting them on each side of a window. This creates a softening effect that breaks up the wall and adds character to your home. Under the windows you can plant your choice of shrubs. For tons of blooms, bold colors, and rich textures, plant knockout roses in the back and drift roses in the front. If you prefer evergreens, try a mix of gold mop cypresses and junipers. This will provide year-round foliage, as well as rich texture and striking color contrast. 

Emerald Greens are great anchors for the corners of your home as well. Plant just one or cluster them in groups of three for even more impact. The mature size is 14 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide, so this tree is great for any size yard. For instant impact, start with larger trees. We offer a variety of sizes to suit any budget or landscape plan.

For a privacy hedge, space your new trees about 3 to 4 feet apart on center. To showcase individual Emerald Thujas plant them at least 6 feet apart.

For additional options, browse our Thuja Green Giant as well as our Dwarf, Privacy and Evergreen tree collections.