How To Plant A Green Giant Arborvitae – For A Perfect Privacy Screen

Dreaming of a lush, evergreen privacy screen that grows quickly and stands tall through all seasons? The ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata ‘Green Giant’) is often the go-to choice for homeowners and landscapers alike.

These remarkable conifers offer rapid growth, excellent disease resistance, and a dense, uniform habit, making them ideal for creating a living fence or windbreak.

But getting them established correctly is paramount to their long-term success. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of how to plant a green giant arborvitae, ensuring your investment flourishes into the magnificent landscape feature you envision.

Why Choose Green Giant Arborvitae for Your Landscape?

The ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae is a hybrid evergreen celebrated for its vigor and adaptability. It combines the best traits of its parent species, offering a superior landscape plant.

This cultivar boasts an impressive growth rate, often adding 3-5 feet in height per year under optimal conditions. This rapid vertical development means you won’t wait long for your desired privacy.

Beyond speed, Green Giants are incredibly hardy, tolerant of a wide range of soil types, and relatively pest and disease-free. They maintain their rich green color throughout winter, providing year-round visual appeal and screening.

Key Benefits of Green Giant Arborvitae

• Fast Growth: Quickly establishes a dense privacy screen.
• Disease Resistance: Less prone to common arborvitae ailments.
• Hardiness: Thrives in USDA Zones 5-9, tolerating heat and cold.
• Deer Resistance: Generally not preferred by deer, unlike some other arborvitae varieties.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, requires minimal care.

Essential Pre-Planting Steps for Success

Before you even think about digging, proper preparation is key. Taking the time now will save you headaches and ensure your Green Giants get the best start.

This stage involves selecting the perfect spot, testing your soil, and gathering all the necessary tools and amendments.

Site Selection: Location, Location, Location

Green Giant Arborvitae thrive in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While they can tolerate some partial shade, growth may be slower and less dense.

Ensure the chosen site has good drainage. These plants dislike “wet feet,” which can lead to root rot. Observe the area after a heavy rain; if water pools for more than an hour, consider improving drainage or selecting a different spot.

Also, consider mature size. Green Giants can reach 40-60 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide. Plant them far enough from structures, power lines, and other trees to allow for future growth.

Soil Preparation: The Foundation for Growth

A soil test is highly recommended. You can purchase kits online or send samples to your local agricultural extension office. This test will reveal your soil’s pH and nutrient levels.

Green Giants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). If your soil is too alkaline, you might amend it with elemental sulfur; if too acidic, use lime. Always follow soil test recommendations.

Regardless of pH, improving soil structure is vital. Incorporate organic matter like compost, aged manure, or peat moss into the planting area. This enhances drainage in heavy clay soils and improves water retention in sandy soils.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

• Shovel or spade
• Gardening gloves
• Wheelbarrow or tarp
• Measuring tape
• Hose or watering can
• Sharp utility knife or pruners (for root ball)
• Organic compost or aged manure
• Mulch (wood chips, shredded bark)
• Root stimulant (optional, but beneficial)

how to plant a green giant arborvitae: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that your site is prepped and your tools are ready, it’s time for the main event. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful planting.

Remember, proper planting depth and root ball handling are critical for these evergreens.

Step 1: Digging the Planting Hole

For each Green Giant Arborvitae, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball. This provides ample space for roots to spread into the surrounding, loosened soil.

Crucially, the hole should be only as deep as the root ball. You want the top of the root ball, where the trunk flares out, to be level with or slightly above the existing soil grade.

Digging too deep can lead to settling, burying the root flare, which can suffocate the tree and lead to decline. Use your shovel to create a flat bottom in the hole.

Step 2: Preparing the Root Ball

Carefully remove the Green Giant from its container. For balled-and-burlapped (B&B) trees, leave the burlap and wire basket intact until the tree is in the hole.

Inspect the root ball. If you see roots circling around the perimeter, gently tease them apart with your fingers or make a few vertical cuts with a sharp utility knife.

This encourages outward root growth rather than continued circling, which can eventually girdle the tree. For B&B trees, once in the hole, cut and remove the top half of the burlap and wire cage.

Step 3: Positioning the Tree

Place the Green Giant Arborvitae into the center of the prepared hole. Step back and observe it from several angles to ensure it is perfectly straight.

Confirm the root flare (the point where the trunk widens at the base) is at or slightly above the surrounding soil level. If it’s too low, add some soil to the bottom of the hole and re-position.

If planting multiple trees for a hedge, use your measuring tape to ensure consistent spacing. For a dense privacy screen, plant them 5-6 feet apart, center to center.

Step 4: Backfilling the Hole

Begin backfilling the hole with a mixture of your original soil and organic amendments (e.g., 50% native soil, 50% compost). Gently tamp the soil around the root ball to remove large air pockets.

Avoid compacting the soil too tightly, as this can restrict root growth. As you backfill, periodically water the soil lightly to help it settle naturally around the roots.

Continue until the hole is filled, creating a slight mound around the base of the tree. Do not cover the root flare.

Step 5: Initial Watering and Mulching

After backfilling, water the newly planted Green Giant thoroughly. This helps settle the soil further and provides essential moisture to the roots.

Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree, extending out to the drip line. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and potential rot.

Mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds, all of which are beneficial for establishment. Good options include shredded bark, wood chips, or pine needles.

Post-Planting Care for Thriving Growth

Planting is just the beginning. The first year, in particular, is critical for your Green Giant Arborvitae to establish a strong root system. Consistent care will ensure they flourish.

Watering: The Most Important Task

Newly planted Green Giants require consistent moisture. For the first few weeks, water every 2-3 days, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.

After the initial establishment period (typically 4-6 weeks), reduce watering frequency but increase the volume. Aim for deep, infrequent watering sessions.

Check soil moisture by sticking your finger 2-3 inches into the ground. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Adjust based on rainfall, temperature, and soil type.

Fertilization: When and What to Feed

Avoid fertilizing immediately after planting. The focus during establishment is root growth, and excessive nitrogen can promote leafy growth at the expense of roots.

Wait until the second growing season before applying a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for evergreens. Look for an NPK ratio like 10-10-10 or similar.

Always follow product instructions carefully to prevent over-fertilization, which can burn roots. Apply fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.

Weed Control and Protection

Keep the area around your Green Giant Arborvitae free of weeds. Weeds compete for water and nutrients, especially detrimental to young plants.

The mulch layer will help suppress most weeds. Hand-pull any persistent weeds to avoid disturbing the young root system with herbicides.

In areas with harsh winters, consider protecting young trees from strong winds and heavy snow loads with burlap wraps or temporary shelters for their first winter.

Troubleshooting Common Green Giant Arborvitae Issues

Even with the best care, sometimes issues arise. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can save your privacy hedge.

Browning Foliage

Browning can be caused by several factors. The most common are underwatering, overwatering, or winter burn.

Check soil moisture; if dry, water deeply. If soggy, improve drainage. Winter burn often appears on the side facing prevailing winds and sun; ensure adequate winter moisture.

Browning can also indicate bagworms or spider mites. Inspect the foliage closely for pests or their webbing.

Pests and Diseases

Green Giants are relatively pest-free, but they can occasionally be affected by spider mites, bagworms, or scale insects.

• Spider Mites: Look for fine webbing and tiny specks on foliage. Treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
• Bagworms: Distinctive cone-shaped bags hanging from branches. Hand-pick and destroy bags, or use a targeted insecticide if infestation is severe.
• Scale Insects: Small, immobile bumps on stems and leaves. Treat with horticultural oil in dormant season.

Root rot is the primary disease concern, almost always due to poor drainage or overwatering. Prevention is key: ensure well-draining soil and appropriate watering practices.

Long-Term Maintenance for a Robust Privacy Hedge

Once established, Green Giant Arborvitae are quite low-maintenance. However, a little ongoing care will keep them healthy, dense, and looking their best.

Pruning for Shape and Density

Green Giants generally require minimal pruning. If you’re aiming for a formal hedge, you can shear them lightly in late spring or early summer after new growth has hardened off.

For a more natural look, simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches as needed. Avoid cutting into old wood, as arborvitae do not readily sprout new growth from leafless branches.

Limit pruning to no more than 25-30% of the plant’s total mass in a single season to prevent stress.

Winter Care and Protection

Established Green Giants are quite cold-hardy. However, heavy snow and ice can sometimes cause branches to splay open or break.

You can gently tie branches together with soft twine in late fall to prevent snow damage. Remove the ties in early spring.

Ensure trees are well-watered going into winter, especially in dry fall conditions. This helps prevent winter desiccation.

Safety First: Protecting Yourself and Your Plants

Gardening and landscaping involve tools and physical activity. Always prioritize safety to prevent accidents.

Tool Safety

• Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gardening gloves, eye protection, and sturdy footwear.
• Use sharp, clean tools. Dull tools require more force and can cause injury, while dirty tools can spread disease.
• Keep tools in good working order and store them safely when not in use.

Planting Safety

• When lifting heavy root balls, bend with your knees, not your back, or ask for assistance.
• Be aware of your surroundings; watch for uneven ground, roots, or other obstacles.
• If using any chemical amendments or fertilizers, read and follow all label instructions carefully, including wearing recommended PPE.

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Giant Arborvitae

How far apart should Green Giant Arborvitae be planted for a privacy hedge?

For a dense, continuous privacy hedge, plant Green Giant Arborvitae 5-6 feet apart, measuring from the center of one plant to the center of the next. For a looser screen, you can space them 8-10 feet apart.

When is the best time to plant Green Giant Arborvitae?

The ideal times to plant Green Giant Arborvitae are in the fall (late August to October) or early spring (March to May). This allows them to establish their root systems before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.

How much water do newly planted Green Giants need?

Newly planted Green Giants need consistent moisture. Water them thoroughly every 2-3 days for the first few weeks, then gradually reduce frequency to once or twice a week, ensuring the top 2-3 inches of soil remain moist but not waterlogged. Adjust based on rainfall and temperature.

Do Green Giant Arborvitae need fertilizer?

During the first year, focus on proper watering and mulching, avoiding fertilizer. In the second growing season and beyond, you can apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for evergreens in early spring, following product instructions carefully.

How fast do Green Giant Arborvitae grow?

Green Giant Arborvitae are known for their rapid growth rate, typically adding 3-5 feet in height per year under optimal growing conditions (full sun, good soil, adequate water).

Conclusion

Planting a Green Giant Arborvitae is a rewarding project that significantly enhances your landscape with a beautiful, fast-growing privacy screen. By understanding how to plant a green giant arborvitae correctly and providing diligent post-planting care, you’re setting your trees up for a lifetime of health and vigorous growth.

From careful site selection and soil preparation to precise planting techniques and ongoing maintenance, every step contributes to the success of your living hedge. Embrace these expert tips, and watch your Green Giants soar, transforming your outdoor space into a private, verdant sanctuary.

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Taylor Galla

Founder and Author at Gardenaider

Taylor Galla is an American website author, product spokesman, mechanical engineer, automotive enthusiast, and automotive modifier.

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