Search

greengiant-3

Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae - Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant'

Hardiness Zone: 5-8

Choose One: 2.5" Pot - 3 Pack

 

Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae - Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant'

Hardiness Zone: 5 - 8

Build a Fast, Full, Year-Round Privacy Screen

Create a lush living wall in record time with the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant'). Famous for its rapid growth, dense evergreen foliage, and tidy pyramidal shape, Green Giant is one of the most popular choices for privacy screens, windbreaks, and tall hedges across the country.

Its glossy, deep green foliage stays full and vibrant through every season, providing year-round privacy and structure. Unlike many fast-growing evergreens, Green Giant is also known for its tough constitution, with strong resistance to many of the problems that plague other screening trees, and a foliage that deer tend to find far less appealing than other arborvitae. Whether you're blocking a neighboring view, softening a property line, or buffering wind and noise, Green Giant delivers dependable results with very little fuss.

Why You'll Love the Thuja Green Giant

  • Rapid growth: One of the fastest-growing evergreen screening trees, often adding 3 feet or more of growth per year once established.
  • Year-round privacy: Dense, glossy green foliage holds its color through winter, giving you a full screen in every season.
  • Naturally pyramidal form: A tight, uniform, conical shape that looks tidy and formal with little to no shearing.
  • Tough and low-maintenance: Disease resistant, drought tolerant once established, and adaptable to a wide range of soils.
  • Deer resistant: Foliage is much less palatable to deer than most other arborvitae (though no plant is completely deer-proof).
  • Ready to grow: Each tree is shipped in a 1-gallon trade pot, providing a young, established plant ready to transition into your landscape or a larger container.

A Fast-Growing Favorite for Every Property

Few evergreens combine speed and reliability the way the Green Giant Arborvitae does. Developed through the U.S. National Arboretum's breeding work and a cross of two arborvitae species, it has become the go-to screening tree for homeowners who want privacy quickly without sacrificing good looks.

Its dense, layered foliage forms a thick living wall that blocks views, buffers wind, and helps soften noise. Even young plants establish quickly, and with consistent watering during the first seasons, Green Giant soon takes off, filling in to create an impressive, towering green backdrop for your landscape.

Perfect for Privacy Screens, Windbreaks & Hedges

The Green Giant Arborvitae is a versatile evergreen that fits a wide range of landscape needs. Plant it in a single row for a classic privacy hedge, stagger two rows for an extra-dense windbreak, or use a single tree as a bold evergreen specimen or corner accent.

Because your tree arrives in a 2.5" pot or 1-gallon trade pot depending on the option selected, it is easy to handle and plant while it establishes its root system. This is an economical way to plant a long screen, and young trees quickly gain size once they are settled in. Give your trees plenty of room, as Green Giant matures into a very large evergreen.

Thuja Green Giant Care Guide

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist while your tree is becoming established. Pay particular attention to watering while the tree is still in its 2.5" pot or 1-gallon container, as smaller containers can dry out more quickly during hot or windy weather.

After planting, water deeply and regularly through the first one to two growing seasons. Once established, Green Giant is quite drought tolerant, though deep watering during extended dry spells will keep the foliage looking its best. A layer of mulch around the root zone can help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures.

Sunlight

Green Giant performs best in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily), which produces the densest growth. It will tolerate partial shade, but growth may be thinner and less compact.

Soil

Plant in well-draining soil. Green Giant is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, but it will not tolerate waterlogged or constantly soggy conditions, so good drainage is essential.

Fertilizing

Green Giant generally does not require heavy fertilization. Once established, if additional nutrients are needed, use a balanced fertilizer formulated for evergreens in early spring and follow the manufacturer's application instructions.

Pruning

Very little pruning is needed. Green Giant naturally grows in a tidy, conical shape. If desired, lightly trim in late winter or early spring to remove any browned growth or to shape the tree. Avoid cutting back into old, bare wood, as evergreens of this type do not readily regrow from it.

Plant Information

Common Name Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
Botanical Name Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant'
Plant Type Evergreen Tree
Hardiness Zone 5 - 8
Container Size 2.5" Pot ot 1-Gallon Trade Pot
Sunlight Full Sun (Tolerates Partial Shade)
Soil Adaptable; Well-Drained
Mature Size 40-60 ft. Tall; 10-20 ft. Wide
Growth Rate Fast; 3 ft. or More Per Year
Foliage Glossy, Deep Green Year-Round
Landscape Use Privacy Screen, Windbreak, Tall Hedge & Specimen

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does a Thuja Green Giant grow?
Green Giant is one of the fastest-growing evergreens available, often adding 3 feet or more of growth per year once established in the landscape, though actual growth depends on climate, soil, and care.

How big does a Green Giant Arborvitae get?
At maturity, Green Giant typically reaches 40-60 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide, so it is best suited to larger properties and to screens where it has plenty of room to grow.

Does a Green Giant need full sun?
Full sun produces the densest, healthiest growth. It will tolerate partial shade, but growth may be thinner and less compact.

What hardiness zones is the Thuja Green Giant suited for?
Green Giant is generally hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8, making it a reliable evergreen for a wide range of climates.

How far apart should I plant Green Giants for a privacy screen?
For a privacy hedge, space trees roughly 4-6 feet apart. Closer spacing fills in faster, while wider spacing of 6-8 feet is common for windbreaks. Keep in mind the large mature width of this tree when deciding.

How often should I water my Thuja Green Giant?
While your tree is in its 2.5" pot or 1-gallon trade pot, check the soil regularly and water thoroughly when the soil begins to dry. Containers can dry out quickly during hot or windy weather. After planting, water deeply and regularly through the first one to two growing seasons. Once established, it is drought tolerant.

How big will my 2.5" or 1-gallon Thuja Green Giant be when it arrives?
Your Green Giant is shipped as a young tree. Because plants are living products, actual height, branching, and overall shape can naturally vary depending on the season and growing conditions.

When is the best time to plant my Thuja Green Giant?
Green Giant can generally be planted when weather and soil conditions are suitable. Mild weather is ideal for reducing transplant stress. Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or during periods of extreme heat, and provide consistent moisture after planting.

Do deer eat Green Giant Arborvitae?
Green Giant is considered deer resistant and is much less appealing to deer than many other arborvitae. However, no plant is completely deer-proof, and hungry deer may browse young plants in areas with heavy pressure.

Does a Green Giant need to be pruned?
Very little pruning is needed. Green Giant naturally grows in a neat, conical form. Light trimming in late winter or early spring can remove browned growth, but avoid cutting back into old, bare wood.

Can I keep my Green Giant in its 2.5" or 1-gallon pot?
The 2.5" pot and 1-gallon trade pot is intended primarily for growing and shipping the young tree rather than as a permanent container. For the best long-term growth, we recommend planting your Green Giant in the landscape as soon as conditions allow, since it grows into a very large tree.

Add Fast, Dependable Privacy to Your Landscape

Whether you're blocking an unwanted view, buffering wind, or building a towering evergreen backdrop, the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae delivers rapid growth, dense year-round foliage, and tough, low-maintenance performance.

Plant Thuja Green Giant today and watch your young trees grow into a lush, living privacy screen for years to come.