HybridContainer OK

Green Giant Arborvitae

Thuja standishii × plicata 'Green Giant'

Potted tree on a balcony with tiled roof.

A fast-growing evergreen hybrid that quickly forms dense, pyramidal screens perfect for privacy hedges or windbreaks. With its rapid 3-5 foot annual growth rate and resistance to deer browsing, this low-maintenance conifer is the go-to choice for homeowners seeking quick, year-round screening.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

40-60 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Showing dates for Green Giant Arborvitae in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Green Giant Arborvitae · Zones 5–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 feet for screening, 15-20 feet as specimen

SoilWell-drained, adaptable to various soil types

pH6.0-8.0

WaterModerate water, drought tolerant once established

SeasonYear-round

FlavorN/A

ColorRich green foliage year-round

SizeScale-like needles on flattened sprays

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 12 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Small upright seed cones are up to 1/2 inch long that emerge as green and then mature to brown.

Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Length: < 1 inch.

Storage & Preservation

Green Giant Arborvitae trees don't require traditional storage—they're planted in gardens or landscaping. For nursery stock or bare-root specimens awaiting planting, store in cool conditions (40-50°F) with high humidity (80%+) to prevent root desiccation. Keep roots moist but not waterlogged. Preservation methods include: (1) Wrapping root balls in burlap and misting daily until planting; (2) Heeling-in trees temporarily in moist soil if immediate planting isn't possible; (3) Storing potted specimens in a sheltered, frost-free location with regular watering during dormancy.

History & Origin

Thuja is a genus of coniferous tree or shrub in the Cupressaceae. There are five species in the genus, two native to North America and three native to eastern Asia. The genus is monophyletic and sister to Thujopsis. Members are commonly known as arborvitaes, thujas, or New World false cedars.

Advantages

+Attracts: Songbirds
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

The shade-tolerant groundcovers — Hostas, Astilbe, Heuchera, and Japanese Painted Fern — fill the dry, low-light zone that develops beneath the canopy once Green Giant matures, and their shallow roots stay well above the 18-24 inch depth where arborvitae is actively feeding. Boxwood and Rhododendron hold structure in winter and tolerate the same 6.0-7.0 pH range without much fuss. Skip any Black Walnut within 60 feet: the tree produces juglone, a root-zone compound that suppresses or outright kills many conifers. Large Maples are a subtler problem — their dense surface-root mat can starve a young arborvitae of water during the first two or three establishment seasons before the arborvitae ever gets a foothold.

Plant Together

Hostas

Thrives in partial shade created by arborvitae, adds contrasting foliage texture

Astilbe

Benefits from wind protection and partial shade, adds colorful blooms

Heuchera

Complements evergreen backdrop with colorful foliage, tolerates similar conditions

Japanese Painted Fern

Enjoys filtered light and wind shelter provided by arborvitae

Boxwood

Similar growing requirements and maintenance needs, creates layered evergreen structure

Rhododendron

Benefits from wind protection and slightly acidic soil conditions

Winterberry Holly

Provides seasonal interest and attracts beneficial birds that may help with pest control

Pachysandra

Excellent groundcover in shade, helps retain soil moisture

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that can inhibit arborvitae growth and cause yellowing

Large Maple Trees

Aggressive root system competes heavily for water and nutrients

Kentucky Bluegrass

Dense turf competes with shallow arborvitae roots for water and nutrients

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent resistance to most diseases and pests

Common Pests

Bagworms, spider mites (rare), deer resistant

Diseases

Root rot in poorly drained soils, canker (rare)

Troubleshooting Green Giant Arborvitae

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Branches with silken bags 1-2 inches long hanging from the foliage, needles stripped inside the bag by late summer

Likely Causes

Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) — larvae hatch in May and build cases from plant material as they feed
Late detection, since bags blend in well against arborvitae foliage until they're large

What to Do

1.Hand-pick and destroy bags before late June while larvae are still small — drop them in soapy water, not on the ground
2.Spray Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) on young larvae in late May to early June; it stops working once caterpillars are past the second instar
3.Check the tree every July going forward — a small infestation caught early takes 10 minutes; a heavy one in August can defoliate entire branches that won't push new growth

Lower branches turning brown and dying back, worst in spots where water pools after rain, sometimes with dark discoloration at the base of the trunk

Likely Causes

Phytophthora root rot — a water mold that thrives in saturated, poorly drained soil, not a true fungus
Planting too deep, burying the root flare and trapping moisture against the trunk

What to Do

1.Improve drainage before planting — raise the bed 6-8 inches or install a French drain if the site stays wet for more than 48 hours after rain
2.Make sure the root flare sits at or just above grade; if it's buried, pull soil and mulch away from the trunk immediately
3.There's no practical chemical cure once Phytophthora is established in the root system — prevention at planting is the only reliable fix

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Green Giant Arborvitae grow?▼

Green Giant Arborvitae is renowned for its rapid growth, achieving 3-5 feet per year under ideal conditions. This fast-growing rate makes it ideal for homeowners seeking quick privacy screens or windbreaks. By year 5-10, trees typically reach mature heights of 40-60 feet, though this varies based on climate, soil quality, and sunlight exposure. Regular watering during establishment accelerates growth.

Is Green Giant Arborvitae good for beginners?▼

Yes, this variety is excellent for beginning gardeners. It's extremely low-maintenance, adapts to various soil types, and tolerates different light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Green Giant requires minimal pruning and fertilizing once established. Its deer-resistant nature and resistance to many common pests make it forgiving and reliable for novice landscapers seeking reliable screening solutions.

Can I grow Green Giant Arborvitae in a container?▼

While Green Giant can temporarily survive in large containers, it's not ideal long-term due to its vigorous growth and substantial mature size. Young specimens may grow in containers for 1-2 years before requiring landscape planting. For permanent growing, in-ground planting is strongly recommended. Container-grown trees need frequent watering and root space to thrive and reach their full potential.

When should I plant Green Giant Arborvitae?▼

Spring and fall are optimal planting seasons, as cool temperatures and natural rainfall promote root establishment. Spring planting (after frost danger) allows the entire growing season for roots to develop before winter. Fall planting works well in regions with mild winters. Avoid planting during summer heat stress or winter dormancy when root establishment is compromised.

How much sunlight does Green Giant Arborvitae need?▼

Green Giant Arborvitae thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring 4-6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and density. Plants tolerate partial shade but grow more slowly and may develop thinner foliage in low-light conditions. Full sun exposure produces the densest, most attractive pyramidal form ideal for privacy screens and windbreaks.

Is Green Giant Arborvitae deer resistant?▼

Yes, Green Giant Arborvitae is notably deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for landscapes plagued by deer browsing. While deer occasionally nibble young foliage or branch tips, they rarely cause significant damage compared to preferred forage plants. This resistance makes it reliable for wildlife-prone areas without requiring protective fencing or deterrent sprays.