Thuja Green Giant Ultimate Guide

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Thuja Green Giant Ultimate Guide

Everything you need to know about America’s fastest-growing privacy evergreen, from NationwidePlants.com.

The Thuja Green Giant is one of the most popular privacy evergreens in the United States. It grows quickly, stays lush and green year-round, and thrives in a wide range of climates. At NationwidePlants.com, we specialize in shipping mature, container-grown Thuja Green Giants in large 7-gallon pots with strong, healthy root systems for instant success.

This guide will walk you through what makes Thuja Green Giant special, how it grows, how to plant and care for it, and what sets Nationwide Plants apart from other online nurseries.

Table of Contents

What Is the Thuja Green Giant?

The Thuja Green Giant (botanical name: Thuja standishii × plicata) is a true hybrid evergreen, originally developed by the U.S. National Arboretum. It was intentionally bred to create an ideal privacy tree, combining the best qualities of its parent species.

Key Traits of the Official Hybrid

  • Extremely fast growth (3–5 feet per year once established)
  • Strong natural disease resistance
  • Excellent drought tolerance once established
  • Heat and humidity tolerant
  • Cold hardy through USDA Zone 5
  • Stays green year-round
  • Full, dense branching and soft foliage

Because this hybrid is so successful, some nurseries now sell cheaper “look-alike” arborvitae that are not the true Green Giant. These imitations grow slower, brown more easily, and are more prone to disease.

NationwidePlants.com only offers the authentic, U.S.-bred Thuja Green Giant hybrid.

Why Homeowners Love Thuja Green Giants

Fastest Growth of Any Privacy Evergreen

Once established, Thuja Green Giants can grow 3–5 feet per year. This makes them one of the fastest ways to create a solid green privacy wall.

Low Pest and Disease Pressure

Unlike some other popular privacy trees (such as Leyland Cypress, which can suffer from canker and root rot), Thuja Green Giant has strong natural resistance to many common issues, including:

  • Fungal diseases
  • Root rot (when planted correctly)
  • Many common pests
  • Moderately high deer resistance compared to other arborvitae

Soft, Lush Foliage

The foliage is soft and feathery, not sharp or poky. This makes it a great choice for families with children, pets, or high-traffic backyard spaces.

Low Maintenance Once Established

After the first year, Thuja Green Giants require minimal care. Occasional pruning to shape, and watering during extended dry periods, is usually all they need.

Why Our Thuja Green Giants Are Different

Not all Thuja Green Giants are grown, measured, or shipped the same way. Here is what sets NationwidePlants.com apart from many online competitors.

1. Large, Healthy Root Systems in Big Containers

We ship our Thuja Green Giants in large 7-gallon containers, not undersized 3-gallon pots.

A bigger container means a more advanced root system, which leads to:

  • Faster first-year growth
  • Better drought tolerance
  • Less transplant shock
  • A fuller, healthier hedge sooner

Big, healthy roots are the engine behind fast, reliable growth.

2. Container-Grown Only – Never Bare Root

Thuja Green Giants are evergreen trees and should never be shipped or sold bare-root. Bare-root shipping is a way for some online nurseries to save money and reduce weight, but it leaves the tree fragile and stressed.

Bare-root evergreens are more likely to:

  • Arrive dehydrated or brittle
  • Suffer severe transplant shock
  • Struggle to establish
  • Decline or die shortly after planting

Nationwide Plants only offers fully-rooted, container-grown Thuja Green Giants. This protects moisture and nutrients during transit, reduces stress, and allows your tree to settle in and start growing right away.

3. Authentic Hybrid Variety, Not a Knock-Off

We grow and ship the true hybrid Thuja Green Giant originally bred and developed by the U.S. National Arboretum. It was created to be the ideal privacy evergreen: fast-growing, disease-resistant, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow.

Some nurseries sell cheaper arborvitae that look similar but are not the same hybrid. These substitutes often:

  • Grow more slowly
  • Are more disease-prone
  • Do not match the size or performance expectations of real Thuja Green Giant

We only provide high-quality, true Thuja Green Giant trees.

4. Honest Heights – No Pot-Height Tricks

When we sell you a “5–6 ft” Thuja Green Giant, that is the height you can expect after planting, measured from the soil line up (not from the bottom of the pot).

Some online nurseries include the pot in their height measurement, which can add 10–15 inches to the advertised size. This leaves customers disappointed when the tree appears much shorter in the ground.

Nationwide Plants provides honest, soil-line height measurements so you know exactly what you are getting.

5. Healthy Plants, Guaranteed – 30-Day Plant Promise

We stand behind our plants with a 30-day Plant Promise. If you are unsatisfied or your trees fail to thrive within the first 30 days after arrival, we will replace your trees or offer a refund.

Most issues with new trees show up in the first few weeks. Our guarantee is designed to protect you during this critical period and give you confidence when ordering online.

6. Strong Roots: The Foundation of a Perfect Privacy Hedge

We have seen other nurseries grow tall Thuja in small pots to make shipping cheaper. This can lead to a root-bound tree where the roots are circling tightly and have outgrown the container. Root-bound trees often struggle to absorb water and nutrients and may dry out quickly during shipment.

Our trees are grown in appropriately large containers and monitored for healthy, fibrous, non-circling roots. That means:

  • Better water uptake
  • Stronger establishment
  • Higher survival rate
  • Better long-term performance

A strong privacy hedge starts with strong, healthy roots.

How Fast Do Thuja Green Giants Grow?

Growth will vary based on your climate, soil, and care, but average performance is impressive:

Year 1 (Establishment)

  • Typically 12–24 inches of new growth
  • Roots expand into the native soil
  • The tree adjusts to your specific site conditions

Year 2 and Beyond

  • 3–5 feet of height per year is common under good conditions
  • 1–2 feet of width per year as the tree fills out

With proper care, a hedge can go from 5–6 ft trees to a beautiful 12–15 ft privacy wall within 3–5 years.

How Far Apart Should I Plant Them?

Spacing depends on how quickly you want privacy and the look you prefer.

Maximum Privacy (Fastest Solid Screen)

Plant 4–5 feet apart.
This allows the trees to grow together into a tight, solid wall of green within a few years.

Standard Privacy Hedge

Plant 6 feet apart.
This creates a nice balance between coverage and cost for most residential yards.

Large Properties or Loose Hedge

Plant 8 feet apart.
This spacing works well for large properties or when you prefer a more open, natural look.

Staggered or Zig-Zag Planting

For extra depth and a layered, natural appearance, plant in a staggered or zig-zag pattern:

  • 6–8 feet apart horizontally
  • 3–4 feet between the two rows front-to-back

Where Do Thuja Green Giants Grow Best?

Thuja Green Giant performs well in a wide range of climates.

USDA Hardiness Zones

Best suited for Zones 5–9.

  • Cold hardy enough for most of the Midwest and Northeast
  • Heat and humidity tolerant enough for much of the Southeast
  • Performs well in many parts of the Pacific Northwest and interior West where winters are not extreme

Soil Conditions

Thuja Green Giants are adaptable and can tolerate:

  • Clay, loam, and sandy soils
  • Slightly acidic to neutral pH

They do best in well-draining soil, but once established, they are quite forgiving.

How to Plant Thuja Green Giants (Step-by-Step)

1. Choose the Planting Location

  • Full sun is ideal (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day)
  • Allow enough space for mature width (5–8 feet wide)

2. Dig the Hole

  • Width: 2–3 times the width of the root ball
  • Depth: no deeper than the height of the root ball or container

Planting too deep is a common mistake. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil.

3. Remove the Tree from the Container

Gently tip the container on its side and slide the tree out, supporting the trunk near the base. Do not shake or break apart the root ball. Container-grown roots are more sensitive to disturbance.

4. Position the Tree

Place the tree in the center of the hole. Make sure it is straight when viewed from multiple angles. The existing soil line (where the trunk meets the soil) should remain at ground level.

5. Backfill with Native Soil

Use the soil you removed from the hole to backfill around the root ball. Lightly tamp the soil to remove air pockets, but do not compact it heavily.

6. Water Deeply

After planting, water thoroughly until the entire root ball is saturated and the soil is evenly moist.

7. Mulch Around the Base

Apply 2–3 inches of mulch over the root zone to help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. Keep mulch a couple of inches away from the trunk to avoid rot.

Watering Guide for the First 12 Weeks

The first 12 weeks are critical for root establishment.

Weeks 1–2

  • Water every day (unless rainfall keeps the soil consistently moist).
  • Water slowly at the base of the tree so moisture can soak down into the root ball.

Weeks 3–6

  • Water every 2–3 days, depending on weather and soil type.

Weeks 7–12

  • Water once per week, adjusting for heat, wind, and rainfall.

After the first growing season, Thuja Green Giants are much more drought-tolerant. In most climates, supplemental watering is only needed during extended dry periods.

Common Problems and Solutions

Browning Tips

Browning at the tips can result from underwatering, overwatering, heat stress, or transplant shock.

Solution: Check soil moisture regularly, adjust watering schedule, and ensure proper mulching.

Yellowing or Shedding of Interior Foliage

It is normal for Thuja Green Giant to shed some of its oldest interior foliage in the fall. This is part of the tree’s natural cycle and not usually a cause for concern.

Bagworms

Bagworms are rare but possible. They appear as small, cone-shaped “bags” hanging from branches.

Solution: Hand-pick and remove bags if numbers are low, or treat early with an appropriate biological control such as BT.

Winter Burn

In very cold, windy areas, some foliage may bronze or burn in winter.

Solution: Mulch the root zone and ensure the tree is well-watered going into winter. In most cases, new green growth will cover any damaged areas in spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Thuja Green Giants better than Leyland Cypress?

For most homeowners, yes. Thuja Green Giants are more disease-resistant, longer-lived, and require less maintenance than Leyland Cypress. They are also less prone to serious fungal issues and dieback.

Do deer eat Thuja Green Giants?

Thuja Green Giants have relatively high deer resistance compared to many other arborvitae, though no plant is completely deer-proof. In high-pressure areas, some protection may still be needed when trees are young.

How fast will I get full privacy?

With 5–6 ft trees planted at 5–6 foot spacing, many customers see a full green wall in about 3–5 years, depending on climate and care.

Do they stay green all winter?

Yes. Thuja Green Giants are evergreen and retain their green color year-round, with minimal bronzing in cold climates.

Can I plant them in summer?

Yes, as long as you are able to water consistently during hot, dry weather. Container-grown trees can be planted throughout the growing season with proper care.

Ready to Plant Your Privacy Hedge?

NationwidePlants.com ships true 5–6 ft Thuja Green Giants in large 7-gallon containers with strong, healthy roots and a 30-day Plant Promise. Our trees are container-grown (never bare root), honestly measured from the soil line, and carefully packed so they arrive ready to thrive.

Build your perfect evergreen privacy wall with genuine, high-quality Thuja Green Giants from NationwidePlants.com.

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