Arborvitae Buying Guide
By Richard "Woodie" Buller, GGD co-founder with 35+ years in horticulture
Published On: Oct 29, 2026
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Arborvitae are some of the most useful evergreen trees for creating privacy, defining property lines, screening patios, softening fences, and adding year-round structure. The challenge is that arborvitae varieties can look remarkably similar when they are young, even though their mature sizes and growth habits may be completely different.
One arborvitae may remain only four to six feet tall. Another can grow 50 feet tall and nearly 20 feet wide. Some grow quickly but require substantial room, while others stay narrow enough for side yards, driveways, pools, and smaller residential properties.
The easiest way to choose an arborvitae is not to begin with the fastest-growing tree. Start with the space you have available, the height of the view you need to block, and the mature width your property can comfortably accommodate.
This arborvitae buying guide compares every active variety in the Garden Goods Direct assortment by mature size, growth rate, sunlight, hardiness, foliage color, deer pressure, and landscape use. It will help you choose an evergreen privacy tree that fits your yard now and continues to fit as it matures.
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Choose Your Arborvitae in Six Steps
Use these six questions to narrow your choices:
- Will the arborvitae grow in your USDA Hardiness Zone?
- How tall does the screen need to become?
- How much planting width is available?
- How quickly do you need the screen to fill in?
- Are deer, winter wind, road salt, or poor drainage concerns?
- Do you want a natural privacy screen, a formal hedge, or an evergreen accent?
Mature width should receive the same attention as mature height. A tree that grows tall enough to provide privacy may still be unsuitable if it eventually spreads into a driveway, walkway, fence, building, or neighboring property.
Start With the Conditions in Your Yard
Confirm Your USDA Hardiness Zone
The arborvitae in the Garden Goods Direct assortment cover a broad range of climates, but they do not all grow in the same zones.
Cold-climate gardeners have several options hardy into Zone 3, including Emerald Green, American Pillar, Thuja Nigra, DeGroot's Spire, and North Pole Arborvitae.
Gardeners in warmer areas should pay close attention to the upper end of each variety's hardiness range. Green Giant and Forever Goldy extend into Zone 9, while several cold-hardy American arborvitae varieties are better suited to Zone 7 or 8 and colder.
Always select based on the individual plant's zone range, rather than assuming every arborvitae will perform equally well in your climate.
Measure the Sunlight
Most arborvitae grow best in full sun to partial shade.
A location receiving 6 or more hours of direct sunlight will generally produce the densest foliage, the fastest growth, and the strongest privacy screen. Arborvitae can tolerate some shade, but growth may slow and become more open as light levels decrease.
Heavy shade can lead to thin foliage, wider gaps between branches, and bare lower growth. If privacy is the goal, use the brightest location available.
Check the Drainage
Arborvitae prefer soil that remains evenly moist but drains well.
They do not perform well in low areas where water stands after rainfall. Constantly saturated soil limits oxygen around the roots and can cause thinning, discoloration, root decline, and eventual plant loss.
Before planting a long hedge, check the entire row. One poorly drained section can create a noticeable weak spot in an otherwise healthy screen.
Consider Wind and Winter Exposure
Arborvitae foliage can lose moisture during winter when the ground is frozen, and the roots cannot replace it. Strong wind, bright winter sun, reflected light, and dry fall conditions can increase the risk of winter burn.
Exposed locations may benefit from:
- Consistent watering through fall
- A two- to three-inch mulch layer
- Temporary burlap protection during the first winters
- Greater distance from reflective walls and pavement
- Protection from prevailing winter winds
Some seasonal bronzing can be normal, but widespread browning, brittle foliage, or dead branches may indicate winter injury or another form of stress.
Account for Road Salt and Deicing Products
Avoid planting arborvitae where salty spray, runoff, or shoveled snow regularly accumulates.
Deicing salt can damage foliage and roots, especially along roads, parking areas, driveways, and heavily treated sidewalks. A narrow arborvitae may physically fit beside a driveway but still struggle if the site receives repeated salt exposure.
Look for Overhead and Underground Conflicts
Before choosing a tall variety, check for:
- Overhead utility lines
- Underground utilities
- Septic systems
- Drainage fields
- Irrigation lines
- Roof overhangs
- Building foundations
- Property boundaries
- Easements
A Green Giant that can eventually reach 50 to 60 feet belongs in a very different location from an Emerald Petite that stays below approximately six feet.
Decide What You Want the Arborvitae to Do
Create Fast Privacy Across a Large Property
Large, fast-growing arborvitae are best for open yards, long property lines, road screening, large backyards, and substantial evergreen buffers.
Best choices:
Green Giant is the strongest option when rapid coverage is the priority, and there is enough room for a tree that may grow 15 to 18 feet wide.
Thuja Nigra grows more moderately but provides dense, dark green foliage and a substantial mature screen.
Create Fast Privacy in a Narrow Space
Some homeowners need height without sacrificing a large portion of their yard.
Best choice:
American Pillar can reach 15 to 20 feet tall while remaining only 3 to 4 feet wide. It is useful beside driveways, pools, patios, fences, and narrow property lines where Green Giant would eventually become too broad.
Build a Formal Evergreen Hedge
A formal hedge looks best when the variety naturally grows upright, narrow, and uniform.
Best choices:
Emerald Green creates the classic arborvitae hedge with bright green foliage and a tidy pyramidal form.
North Pole offers a slim profile and strong winter color. DeGroot's Spire has a more textured, slightly irregular appearance that feels less rigid while still remaining narrow.
Add Medium-Sized Residential Privacy
Not every yard needs a 30- to 50-foot privacy tree.
Best choices:
Junior Giant provides meaningful height and relatively fast coverage without becoming as wide as Green Giant.
Leprechauns mature to approximately 8 to 10 feet tall, making them useful where a medium-height hedge will provide enough screening.
Add a Compact Evergreen Accent or Low Screen
Compact arborvitae can frame an entrance, define a walkway, anchor a foundation bed, create a low hedge, or add evergreen structure to a small garden.
Best choices:
Emerald Petite provides the familiar emerald-green arborvitae look in a plant that remains approximately four to six feet tall.
Forever Goldy adds golden-yellow foliage and grows approximately eight to ten feet tall, making it suitable for colorful screens, accents, and foundations.
Create a Wind Buffer
Arborvitae can soften wind, but a single tightly sheared row should not be expected to stop all wind.
Wider varieties such as Green Giant and Thuja Nigra provide more depth than narrow columns. For a substantial windbreak, use adequate spacing and consider staggered planting or a mixed evergreen buffer rather than relying on a single tightly packed row.
A mixed planting can also reduce the risk of losing an entire screen to one pest, disease, weather event, or site problem.
Understand the Main Arborvitae Shapes
Large Pyramidal Arborvitae
These trees grow tall and broad, creating substantial evergreen coverage.
Examples:
- Thuja Green Giant
- Thuja Nigra
They are useful for large-scale privacy but require enough room to develop naturally.
Narrow Columnar Arborvitae
These varieties provide height while using less ground space.
Examples:
- American Pillar
- Emerald Green
- North Pole
- DeGroot's Spire
They fit smaller yards, side yards, driveway borders, patios, and narrow property lines.
Medium Pyramidal Arborvitae
These offer a balance between height, screening ability, and manageable width.
Examples:
- Junior Giant
- Leprechaun™
They work well where a compact accent is too small but Green Giant would eventually become too large.
Compact Arborvitae
Compact selections provide evergreen structure without becoming full-sized privacy trees.
Examples:
- Emerald Petite
- Forever Goldy™
These are better for foundations, low screens, entry plantings, mixed borders, and small-space accents.
Complete Arborvitae Comparison
The following table accounts for every active arborvitae variety in the Garden Goods Direct collection.
| Arborvitae | Approximate Mature Size | USDA Zones | Best Light | Growth Pace | Best Use | Key Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | 50 to 60 feet tall; 15 to 18 feet wide | 5 to 9 | Full sun to partial sun | Very fast | Large privacy screens, wind buffers and long property lines | Fastest large-scale coverage in the collection |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | 12 to 15 feet tall; 3 to 4 feet wide | 3 to 8 | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | Formal hedges, narrow yards and residential privacy | Classic slim form with bright emerald-green foliage |
| American Pillar Arborvitae – Full Speed A Hedge® | 15 to 20 feet tall; 3 to 4 feet wide | 3 to 8 | Full sun | Very fast | Fast privacy in narrow planting strips | Combines rapid growth with an exceptionally narrow footprint |
| Junior Giant Arborvitae | 15 to 20 feet tall; 5 to 6 feet wide | 5 to 8 | Full sun to partial shade | Fast | Medium-width privacy screens and residential property lines | Smaller, narrower alternative to Green Giant |
| Thuja Nigra Arborvitae | 20 to 30 feet tall; 6 to 10 feet wide | 3 to 7 | Full sun to part sun | Moderate | Tall hedges, windbreaks and dark green evergreen screens | Dense foliage with strong dark winter color |
| Forever Goldy™ Arborvitae | 8 to 10 feet tall; 3½ to 4 feet wide | 5 to 9 | Full sun to light shade | Moderate | Golden screens, foundations and colorful accents | Bright golden-yellow evergreen foliage |
| DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae | 10 to 20 feet tall; 4 to 5 feet wide | 3 to 7 | Full sun to part shade | Slow to moderate | Narrow informal hedges, entries and vertical accents | Textured, naturally narrow growth |
| Leprechaun™ Arborvitae | 8 to 10 feet tall; 4 to 6 feet wide | 4 to 8 | Full sun to partial shade | Moderate | Medium hedges, foundations and compact screening | Manageable privacy height with rich green foliage |
| North Pole Arborvitae | 10 to 15 feet tall; 3 to 5 feet wide | 3 to 8 | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | Narrow cold-hardy hedges and small-yard privacy | Slim habit with strong winter color |
| Emerald Petite Arborvitae | 4 to 6 feet tall; 2 to 3 feet wide | 4 to 8 | Full sun | Moderate | Low hedges, containers, foundations and compact accents | Smallest arborvitae in the active tree collection |
Mature sizes and growth rates are approximate. Soil, sunlight, climate, water, pruning, and local growing conditions can influence the final size and speed of each plant.
Best Arborvitae by Situational Need
Best for the Fastest Large Privacy Screen
Green Giant can grow several feet in a good year once established. It is best for large yards with enough room for a broad, tall evergreen screen.
It should not be planted in a narrow strip with the expectation that frequent pruning will permanently hold it at three or four feet wide.
Best for Fast Privacy in a Narrow Yard
American Pillar provides fast vertical growth while remaining approximately three to four feet wide. It is one of the most practical choices for tight property lines where speed and limited width are both priorities.
Best for a Formal Hedge
Emerald Green's tidy form, narrow width, and bright evergreen foliage make it a dependable choice for symmetrical rows, driveway borders, pool screens, patios, and formal landscapes.
Best Green Giant Alternative for a Smaller Property
Junior Giant offers fast growth and meaningful screening but matures at a more residential scale than Green Giant.
Its five- to six-foot width is still substantial enough to create privacy without requiring the 15- to 18-foot footprint of a mature Green Giant.
Best for Dark Winter Color
Thuja Nigra is valued for its dense, dark green foliage, which holds its color well through winter. It creates a substantial evergreen screen without the extremely broad spread of Green Giant.
Best for Golden Foliage
Forever Goldy features bright yellow-gold foliage year-round. It works well as a colorful hedge, a foundation anchor, a repeated accent, or a contrast plant beside darker evergreens.
Best for a Textured Narrow Accent
DeGroot's Spire has a narrow form with slightly twisted, textured foliage. It is less rigid-looking than a tightly formal hedge and works well as an entry accent, foundation corner, or informal vertical screen.
Best for Medium-Height Privacy
Leprechauns reach approximately eight to ten feet tall. It is useful when a fence-height or slightly taller evergreen screen will provide enough privacy.
Best for Cold-Climate Narrow Privacy
North Pole combines Zone 3 hardiness with a narrow, upright habit. It is a useful choice for cold regions and smaller properties where winter color and limited width both matter.
Best for Small Gardens and Low Hedges
Emerald Petite remains approximately 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It fits low hedges, front gardens, entryways, foundation beds, and large containers more comfortably than full-sized arborvitae.
Choose by Mature Height
Four to Six Feet Tall
- Emerald Petite Arborvitae
Use this size for low screening, foundations, garden borders, entries, and areas where a tall privacy tree would be inappropriate.
Eight to Ten Feet Tall
- Forever Goldy™ Arborvitae
- Leprechaun™ Arborvitae
These work well for medium hedges, patio screening, property divisions, and evergreen structures around one-story homes.
Ten to Twenty Feet Tall
- Emerald Green Arborvitae
- American Pillar Arborvitae
- Junior Giant Arborvitae
- DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae
- North Pole Arborvitae
This is the most versatile residential privacy group. The varieties differ significantly in width, so height alone should not determine the selection.
Twenty Feet and Taller
- Thuja Nigra Arborvitae
- Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
Use these where a large evergreen screen can mature without interfering with structures, utilities, neighboring properties, or important views.
Choose by Available Width
Approximately Two to Three Feet Wide
- Emerald Petite Arborvitae
This is the smallest-footprint option in the active collection.
Approximately Three to Four Feet Wide
- Emerald Green Arborvitae
- American Pillar Arborvitae
- Forever Goldy™ Arborvitae
These fit narrow beds and property lines more comfortably than broad screening trees.
Approximately Four to Six Feet Wide
- DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae
- North Pole Arborvitae
- Junior Giant Arborvitae
- Leprechaun™ Arborvitae
These need more room than a narrow column but remain manageable in many residential landscapes.
Approximately Six to Ten Feet Wide
- Thuja Nigra Arborvitae
Thuja Nigra creates a substantial screen and should be given adequate distance from buildings, walks, and property boundaries.
Approximately Fifteen to Eighteen Feet Wide
- Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant is not a narrow hedge plant. Its speed and coverage come with a naturally broad mature footprint.
Understand Growth Rate Versus Mature Size
The fastest-growing arborvitae is not automatically the best arborvitae.
Fast growth can be valuable when a large property needs coverage quickly. It can become a problem when the same tree is planted in a narrow suburban bed.
Very Fast-Growing Choices
- Thuja Green Giant
- American Pillar
Green Giant provides broad, large-scale coverage. American Pillar provides rapid vertical coverage in a much narrower footprint.
Fast-Growing Residential Choice
- Junior Giant
Junior Giant offers a useful balance of quicker coverage and manageable mature width.
Moderate-Growing Choices
- Emerald Green
- Thuja Nigra
- Forever Goldy™
- Leprechaun™
- North Pole
- Emerald Petite
Moderate growth is not a disadvantage when the plant's controlled habit better fits the available space.
Slow-to-Moderate Choice
- DeGroot's Spire
DeGroot's Spire takes longer to create a solid screen but provides a narrow, textured form that requires relatively little size control.
Arborvitae Spacing for Privacy
Spacing determines how quickly a row fills, how much airflow the plants receive, and how crowded the hedge becomes at maturity.
Measure from the center of one trunk to the center of the next.
Working Spacing Recommendations
| Arborvitae | Dense Hedge Spacing | More Open or Specimen Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | Approximately 5 to 6 feet apart | Approximately 12 to 15 feet apart |
| American Pillar | Approximately 3 to 4 feet apart | Approximately 4 to 5 feet apart |
| Emerald Green | Approximately 2½ to 3 feet apart | Approximately 3 to 4 feet apart |
| Forever Goldy™ | Approximately 3 to 4 feet apart | Approximately 4 to 5 feet apart |
| Other Narrow Arborvitae | Begin near 75% to 100% of the mature width | Use a full mature width or more |
| Broad Arborvitae | Allow enough room for natural spread | Use mature width as the starting point |
Closer spacing creates faster visual coverage but increases competition and may reduce airflow. Wider spacing takes longer to fill but allows each plant to develop more naturally.
How Many Arborvitae Do You Need?
Use this formula:
Length of planting area ÷ planned spacing = approximate number of plants
Round up when the result includes part of a plant.
Example: Green Giant Screen
A 30-foot property line with Green Giants spaced six feet apart:
30 ÷ 6 = 5 plants
Example: American Pillar Hedge
A 24-foot planting line with American Pillars spaced four feet apart:
24 ÷ 4 = 6 plants
Example: Emerald Green Hedge
An 18-foot planting line with Emerald Greens spaced three feet apart:
18 ÷ 3 = 6 plants
The exact layout may need to be adjusted so the end plants are not placed directly against a fence, building, driveway, or property boundary.
Consider a Staggered Double Row
A staggered double row can create deeper screening and cover visual gaps without forcing every plant into one crowded line.
This approach works especially well for:
- Large properties
- Road buffers
- Windbreaks
- Long property lines
- Naturalistic privacy plantings
Offset the plants so the trees in the second row line up with the gaps in the first row.
Are Arborvitae Deer Resistant?
No arborvitae should be considered completely deer-proof.
Deer pressure changes by location, season, weather, available food, and deer population. A plant ignored in one neighborhood may be heavily browsed in another.
Green Giant and Junior Giant are often considered better choices for arborvitae where deer are present, but they can still be damaged under heavy pressure.
Emerald Green, Emerald Petite, and other American arborvitae selections can be especially vulnerable during winter, when alternative food sources become limited.
Young plants should be protected with:
- Temporary fencing
- Deer netting
- Repellents
- Individual cages
- Strategic placement near active areas
Repeated browsing along the lower portion of an arborvitae can create a bare "browse line." Severely damaged lower foliage may not fully recover, especially if branches have been stripped back into old wood.
Where deer pressure is severe, physical fencing is more dependable than relying on a plant label.
Choose by Foliage Color and Landscape Style
Bright Emerald Green
- Emerald Green Arborvitae
- Emerald Petite Arborvitae
These provide the familiar polished arborvitae appearance used in formal hedges and entry plantings.
Deep Green
- Thuja Nigra Arborvitae
- North Pole Arborvitae
- American Pillar Arborvitae
- Junior Giant Arborvitae
These are useful where strong, saturated winter color is a priority.
Golden Yellow
- Forever Goldy™ Arborvitae
Use golden foliage carefully. A full golden hedge creates a bold effect, while one or three plants can brighten a mixed evergreen planting without dominating the landscape.
Textured or Informal
- DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae
Its narrow shape and twisting foliage provide a less rigid appearance than a heavily clipped formal hedge.
Common Arborvitae Buying Mistakes
Choosing the Fastest-Growing Tree Without Measuring the Space
Green Giant grows quickly because it is naturally a very large tree. It should not be chosen solely because a narrow property line is desired.
American Pillar is usually the better starting point when fast growth and limited width are both important.
Ignoring Mature Width
Privacy decisions are often made solely on height. Mature width determines whether the hedge will crowd a walkway, driveway, fence, patio, pool, building, or neighboring property.
Planting Too Close Together
Tight spacing may provide faster short-term coverage, but extreme crowding can increase root competition, reduce airflow, and create long-term stress.
Planting Too Close to a Fence
A young arborvitae may appear to fit directly against a fence. As it grows, branches can press through or over the fence, and maintenance access may disappear.
Allow for the plant's mature radius, not just its current container width.
Assuming Arborvitae Grow Well in Heavy Shade
Arborvitae tolerate some shade, but a privacy hedge generally becomes denser and more uniform with adequate sunlight.
Planting in Standing Water
Arborvitae appreciate moisture but do not want their roots permanently saturated. Improve drainage or select another location if water consistently collects after rain.
Planting Too Deeply
Do not bury the root flare or set the root ball below the surrounding grade. Deep planting can reduce oxygen around the roots and contribute to long-term decline.
Depending on Pruning to Control an Oversized Variety
Arborvitae can be lightly shaped, but they should not be treated like plants that can be repeatedly cut back into bare old stems.
Choose a naturally suitable mature size rather than forcing a large tree into a small space.
Cutting Into Bare Wood
Arborvitae may not reliably produce new foliage from deeply cut, leafless wood. Keep routine trimming within the outer green growth.
Assuming Brown Foliage Always Means the Tree Is Dead
Interior foliage naturally sheds as it ages. Winter bronzing may also be temporary.
However, widespread browning, brittle branches, one-sided damage, or rapidly expanding dead areas should be investigated for drought stress, winter injury, drainage problems, salt exposure, pests, or disease.
Ignoring Bagworms
Bagworms can resemble small cones or pieces of dried foliage hanging from branches. A large infestation can strip foliage and seriously weaken an arborvitae.
Inspect trees regularly rather than waiting until the hedge starts to turn brown.
What to Expect When Your Arborvitae Arrives
The arborvitae you receive will not look like a mature privacy hedge on the day it arrives.
Mature landscape photographs show what the variety can become after years of growth. The shipped plant will be younger and may have a narrower, less-filled form.
Season, recent pruning, nursery spacing, weather, and shipping can also affect appearance. A newly unpacked arborvitae may show:
- Slightly compressed branches
- Minor foliage shedding
- Temporary dullness
- A small amount of browning
- Uneven branch positioning
- Moisture stress after transit
Unpack the tree promptly, check the root ball moisture, and allow compressed branches to relax naturally.
Do not attempt to make the plant look fuller by immediately applying large amounts of fertilizer. Proper planting, deep watering, sunlight, and root establishment are more important than pushing rapid top growth.
The Garden Goods Direct We Grow Together Promise helps support customers through plant arrival, planting, and establishment.
Planting Arborvitae Correctly
Want the full step-by-step? Our Arborvitae Tree Care Guide walks through planting, watering, and first-year care in more detail.
When to Plant
Spring and fall are generally the easiest planting seasons because temperatures are cooler and moisture is easier to manage.
Summer planting can succeed when consistent watering is available. Avoid planting during extreme heat when possible.
Prepare the Planting Line
For a hedge:
- Mark the beginning and end of the row.
- Stretch a string between the points.
- Measure and mark each planting location.
- Confirm that the line remains on your property.
- Check clearance from fences, structures, utilities, and pavement.
Dig Wide, Not Deep
Dig each hole approximately two to three times wider than the root ball but no deeper than the root system.
Locate the root flare or uppermost structural roots. Position them level with or slightly above the surrounding grade.
Loosen Circling Roots
Remove the container and inspect the root ball. Gently loosen or redirect circling roots so they can grow outward into the surrounding soil.
Backfill Carefully
Backfill primarily with the soil removed from the hole. Avoid creating a heavily amended planting pocket that holds water differently from the surrounding ground.
Water partway through backfilling to settle the soil, then finish filling and water again.
Apply Mulch
Spread approximately two to three inches of mulch over the root zone.
Keep mulch several inches away from the trunk. Mulch piled against the trunk can trap moisture, conceal damage, and encourage decay.
Stake Only When Necessary
A stable container-grown arborvitae may not require staking.
Stake newly planted trees when the root ball shifts in the soil, the site is unusually windy, or the tree cannot remain upright without support. Use broad, flexible ties and remove the staking materials after the roots have stabilized, generally within the first year.
Watering New Arborvitae
Water deeply immediately after planting.
During the first growing season, check the root ball and surrounding soil several times each week. A deep soaking once or twice per week may be a useful starting point, but actual frequency depends on:
- Temperature
- Rainfall
- Wind
- Soil type
- Plant size
- Drainage
- Sun exposure
Sandy soil may dry rapidly, while clay soil may remain wet much longer.
Water the root zone, not the foliage. Slow, deep watering encourages roots to grow outward and downward.
Continue checking moisture into the fall. Evergreens entering winter with dry roots are more vulnerable to winter injury.
Fertilizing Arborvitae
Newly planted arborvitae usually benefit more from correct watering and root development than aggressive fertilization.
Apply a balanced, slow-release tree and shrub fertilizer in early spring when a soil test, poor growth, or visible nutrient need indicates that feeding would be useful.
Avoid heavy fertilization and late-season feeding. Excess nitrogen can lead to soft growth, higher water requirements, and increased winter injury vulnerability.
Pruning Arborvitae
Most arborvitae maintain their natural shape with little pruning.
Lightly shape plants in spring or around the first flush of new growth. Trim only the outer green growth and remove dead, broken, or damaged branches as needed.
For a hedge, keep the top slightly narrower than the base. This allows sunlight to reach the lower foliage, helping the hedge remain full from top to bottom.
Avoid:
- Cutting deeply into bare wood
- Removing the leader without a specific reason
- Topping the trees to control an unsuitable mature size
- Repeatedly shearing the outer foliage into a dense shell
- Pruning during severe heat or drought
Preventing Winter Damage
Help arborvitae enter winter in good condition by:
- Watering during dry fall weather
- Maintaining mulch over the root zone
- Avoiding late-season nitrogen fertilizer
- Protecting young plants from deer
- Keeping deicing salt away from the roots and foliage
- Using temporary burlap screens on highly exposed sites
- Removing heavy snow carefully rather than beating frozen branches
Wait until spring growth begins before assuming every browned branch is dead. Some foliage may recover as temperatures warm.
Your Final Arborvitae Decision
Use this order to choose:
- Confirm the plant is hardy in your USDA Zone.
- Measure the available width.
- Determine the height needed for privacy.
- Decide how quickly the screen needs to develop.
- Evaluate sunlight, drainage, wind, salt, and deer pressure.
- Choose a natural, formal, compact, or colorful growth style.
- Calculate spacing and plant quantity.
Choose Thuja Green Giant for fast, large-scale privacy where there is plenty of room.
Choose American Pillar for fast privacy in a narrow space.
Choose Emerald Green for a classic formal hedge.
Choose Junior Giant when you want faster residential privacy without Green Giant's broad mature size.
Choose Thuja Nigra for a substantial dark green screen in colder climates.
Choose Forever Goldy™ for golden foliage and medium-height evergreen structure.
Choose DeGroot's Spire for a narrow, textured accent or informal hedge.
Choose Leprechaun™ for a manageable eight- to ten-foot screen.
Choose North Pole for narrow, cold-hardy privacy and strong winter color.
Choose Emerald Petite for a compact hedge, foundation accent, container, or small garden.
The best arborvitae is not simply the fastest-growing tree. It is the variety that provides the privacy you need while naturally fitting the height, width, climate, and conditions of your property.
Shop the Arborvitae Collection
Frequently Asked Questions About Arborvitae
What is the best arborvitae for privacy?
Thuja Green Giant is one of the best choices for fast privacy across a large property. It grows quickly and produces a broad, tall screen.
American Pillar is often better for narrow residential properties because it provides height and rapid growth while remaining approximately three to four feet wide.
What is the narrowest arborvitae in the collection?
Emerald Petite has the smallest overall mature width, at approximately 2 to 3 feet, but it only reaches approximately 4 to 6 feet tall.
For tall, narrow privacy, American Pillar and Emerald Green both remain approximately 3 to 4 feet wide.
Which arborvitae grows the fastest?
Green Giant and American Pillar are the fastest-growing choices in the active assortment.
Green Giant becomes much larger and broader. American Pillar provides rapid vertical growth in a narrow form.
What is the difference between Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitae?
Green Giant grows faster, taller, and substantially wider. It is best for large yards and long privacy lines.
Emerald Green grows more moderately and remains approximately three to four feet wide. It is better for smaller yards, formal hedges, driveways, patios, and narrow residential spaces. For a side-by-side look, see Green Giant vs. Emerald Green Arborvitae: How to Choose.
What is the difference between Green Giant and Junior Giant Arborvitae?
Green Giant may reach 50 to 60 feet tall and 15 to 18 feet wide.
Junior Giant generally reaches 15 to 20 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. It provides useful privacy at a scale that is easier to accommodate on many residential properties.
How far apart should arborvitae be planted?
Spacing depends on the variety.
Green Giant is commonly planted 5 to 6 feet apart for a dense hedge. American Pillar is commonly planted approximately three to four feet apart. Emerald Green may be planted approximately 2.5 to 3 feet apart for faster coverage, or 3 to 4 feet apart for a looser row.
Always consider mature width and airflow before choosing the tightest spacing.
Can arborvitae grow in shade?
Most arborvitae tolerate partial shade, but a dense privacy hedge generally performs best with substantial sunlight.
Heavy shade may produce slower growth, thinner foliage, open branches, and less consistent coverage.
Are arborvitae deer resistant?
No arborvitae is completely deer-proof.
Green Giant and Junior Giant are often considered better choices where deer are present, while Emerald Green and other American arborvitae can be heavily browsed. Protect all young plants where deer pressure is high.
Why are my arborvitae turning brown?
Possible causes include drought, winter burn, salt damage, poor drainage, planting too deeply, root injury, bagworms, spider mites, disease, or natural shedding of interior foliage.
Check where the browning begins, whether it affects one side or the entire plant, and whether the branches remain flexible before deciding on treatment.
Can arborvitae be cut back hard?
Arborvitae should not be cut deeply into bare, leafless wood. Old brown stems may not reliably produce new foliage.
Lightly trim the outer green growth and select a variety whose natural mature size fits the space.
Can arborvitae grow in containers?
Compact varieties such as Emerald Petite are the best candidates for large containers.
Container-grown arborvitae require consistent watering, excellent drainage, and winter root protection. Full-sized privacy trees should not be considered permanent container plants.
How long does an arborvitae hedge take to fill in?
The timeline depends on the variety, starting size, spacing, sunlight, soil, water, and climate.
Fast-growing varieties such as Green Giant and American Pillar can begin creating meaningful coverage within several growing seasons. Moderate-growing varieties take longer but may fit the site more comfortably over the long term.
Should I plant one row or two rows of arborvitae?
One row is appropriate for most residential hedges and narrow property lines.
A staggered double row provides greater depth, fills visual gaps, and creates a stronger natural buffer. It requires more room and more plants, but can be valuable for large privacy and windbreak projects.
Do arborvitae need fertilizer?
Healthy arborvitae planted in suitable soil may need little supplemental fertilizer.
Correct watering, drainage, sunlight, mulch, and spacing are more important than heavy feeding. Use a slow-release fertilizer only in spring, when needed.
Do arborvitae attract bagworms?
Arborvitae are common hosts for bagworms. The insects carry small bags that can resemble cones or dried foliage.
Inspect the plants regularly and remove bags before the population becomes large enough to cause serious defoliation.
Woodie's Take
Arborvitae buying becomes much easier when you measure the width of the planting area before looking at the growth rate. Most homeowners know how tall they want the screen, but the available width is what usually determines whether the planting succeeds long term.
Green Giant is hard to beat when there is room for a large, fast-growing evergreen wall. American Pillar is a better fit when you need similar urgency in a much narrower space. Emerald Green remains one of the best choices for a clean, formal residential hedge.
The biggest mistake is planting a naturally broad tree in a narrow strip and expecting pruning to solve the problem forever. Choose the arborvitae that already wants to grow into the shape and size you need. That decision will save maintenance, prevent crowding, and produce a healthier, better-looking screen.