Table of Contents
Mature Size The American arborvitae grows to a height of 40–60′ and a spread of 10–15′ at maturity.
How wide do arborvitae get?
Emerald Green Arborvitae trees, also known as ‘Smaragd’ due to their Danish origins, grow in a narrow pyramid shape, eventually to 10-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Their size makes them ideal foundation plants and natural privacy screens in smaller yards and narrow spaces.
How fast does an arborvitae grow?
The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreen—shooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter.
How do you keep Arborvitaes small?
Pruning Arborvitae to Shorten a Tall Hedge If you are making drastic changes to its height, it is best to cut back a foot or so a year until you have the size you want. This helps keep your cuts in the green wood, which will allow the top of the arborvitae to fill in.
How much space do Arborvitaes need?
The recommended spacing for Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees is 2-3 feet apart if you are using it for privacy. If you want quicker privacy, plant them about 2 feet apart. Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees typically grow about 3-4 feet wide.
What is the best time of year to plant arborvitae?
The best time to plant arborvitae is in the early spring. This gives the arborvitae plenty of time to establish its roots and new growth before the winter. Plant arborvitae in early spring for best results.
How close to a fence can you plant arborvitae?
Due to its tall height and expansive branches, many people like to plant this variety along fence lines to create privacy. Planting it about eight to ten feet from any structure is the ideal distance. This ensures the arborvitae can reach maximum width without damaging your house or fence.
Do arborvitaes attract mosquitoes?
Not Guilty. Cedar hedges do not attract mosquitoes to your yards. The reality is that many cedar repellent products use cedar oil as an active ingredient to repel mosquitoes and other insect pests. While its effectiveness as a mosquito repellent is not proven, they aren’t a proven attractant, either.
Do arborvitaes grow in the winter?
Depending on where you live, they may be planted in late winter if soils are workable, or you may have to wait until early spring when the earth has thawed.
How do I keep my Green Giant small?
They will need to be pruned each year after the annual growth hardens off. Start at the top reducing the height as much as possible, then prune the sides from the top down. Attempting to or keeping them approximately 1/4 their normal size will likely shorten their lives.
Can I cut the top off an arborvitae?
Removing the top creates a very flat appearance since the shrub will no longer grow upwards after the central leader is removed. Avoid taking the top off when trimming arborvitae if you are only thinning your tree. Only prune it off if it is severely damaged.
How do you stop arborvitae from growing taller?
I think a better way to deal with arborvitae is by regular, light prunings each year once the plants reach the height you want. Once the plants hit the desired size, shave off the new growth each June to keep it that size. Never cut so far back that you’re into bare wood.
How tall does a dwarf arborvitae get?
Dwarf globe arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) are small, needled evergreen shrubs that grow up to 4 feet tall. Depending on the cultivar, you can grow these shrubs in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 2 to 8.
How far do arborvitae roots grow?
Arborvitaes have a shallow, fibrous root system and this root system may spread to the edges of the dripline, which is the outer most circumference of the tree’s canopy. The roots of small arborvitae may reach depths of up to 8 inches while the roots of larger arborvitae may extend to depths of 18-24 inches.
How do you plant a row of arborvitae?
How to Plant Arborvitae Dig the planting hole 2 to 3 times as wide and as deep as the root ball. Loosen some of the roots in the root ball. Plant the arborvitae in the hole so that the top edge of the root ball is level with the top of the hole. Back-fill with soil around the root ball, tamping down with your hands.
Can potted arborvitae survive winter?
Because containers provide little insulation to a plant’s root system, cold winter weather can damage or kill the plant. Bringing your container-grown arborvitae indoors or finding other ways to protect its roots will help the shrub survive the winter.
Are arborvitae trees poisonous to dogs?
Are Arborvitae Poisonous to Dogs Thujas, although not listed on the ASPCA’s list of toxic plants – may cause some digestive upset (diarrhea or vomiting), according to some reports online. So, keep your pup away from Thujas in the garden.
Is arborvitae a tree or shrub?
Arborvitae are trees or shrubs, usually pyramidal in habit, with thin, scaling outer bark and fibrous inner bark, horizontal or ascending branches, and characteristically flattened, spraylike branchlet systems. Each branchlet has four rows of tiny, scalelike leaves.
How do you plant emerald green arborvitae for privacy?
It’s recommended to plant them 3′-4′ apart to form a privacy hedge when full grown. I chose to plant them 3′ apart from trunk to trunk. You can also ask the nursery how far apart to plant your new trees. Determine how far you’ll space them from your fence or property line.
What is the difference between Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitae?
The Green Giant is better suited for areas with a lot of space to fill in. Emerald Green Thujas are perfect for smaller landscapes because they only grow to heights between 8 and 12 feet. They have a much smaller spread, growing about 3 to 4 feet wide.
Can I plant arborvitae next to house?
Enough Room. An arborvitae is a dense shrub that can be conical or pyramidal in shape, depending on the cultivar. An arborvitae shrub usually spreads to a width of about 15 feet when fully grown, so planting it about 7 or 8 feet from a house, or half it’s mature width, is ideal.
What is the fastest growing tree for privacy?
What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.
