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Junior Giant Thuja Tree

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Planting & Care

Planting Instructions for Junior Giant Thuja (Thuja plicata x standishii)

  1. Soil Preparation & Site Selection:
    The Junior Giant Thuja grows best in well-draining, fertile soil, but it can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Select a location that receives full sun to partial shade—about 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal. This tree is often used as a privacy screen, windbreak, or ornamental specimen due to its manageable size and dense, lush foliage.
  2. Digging & Planting:
    Dig a hole that is slightly shallower than the root ball and 2–3 times as wide. This encourages the roots to spread out without sinking too deep, which can lead to poor drainage issues. The top of the root ball should sit about 1–2 inches above ground level to account for soil settling. Use the mound technique to elevate the plant if your soil tends to retain water, which helps prevent root rot.
  3. Spacing:
    If planting multiple Junior Giant Thuja trees for a privacy hedge, space them 4–6 feet apart. This allows them to grow into a dense barrier while providing sufficient airflow to prevent fungal diseases. If planting as a specimen tree, leave at least 8–10 feet of space around it to accommodate its full, upright growth.
  4. Initial Watering & Mulching:
    After planting, water deeply to help the soil settle around the roots. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulch helps conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent weed growth.

Care Instructions During Establishment

  1. Watering:
    Keep the soil evenly moist during the first year as the tree establishes itself. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil conditions. In hot or dry weather, increase watering frequency to prevent drought stress. After the tree is established, it will require less frequent watering but will benefit from deep watering during dry spells.
  2. Fertilization:
    Fertilize the Junior Giant Thuja in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) to promote healthy growth. You can also incorporate organic compost into the soil to provide additional nutrients. Fertilize again in midsummer if growth appears slow, but avoid late-season fertilization, as it can encourage tender new growth susceptible to winter damage.
  3. Monitoring for Issues:
    Monitor your Thuja for signs of stress, such as browning or yellowing leaves. These can indicate improper watering, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiencies. Regularly check the soil moisture levels and adjust watering as necessary. Keep an eye on the base of the tree to ensure the mulch isn’t piled too high against the trunk.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning:
    The Junior Giant Thuja typically maintains a compact, columnar shape without much pruning. However, you can lightly prune in early spring or late winter to remove any dead, damaged, or crossed branches. Avoid heavy pruning into older wood, as the plant may not regenerate well from severe cuts.
  2. Pest & Disease Control:
    Junior Giant Thuja is generally pest-resistant, but you should still check for common pests like bagworms, spider mites, or aphids. If you notice bagworm cases or mite webs, remove them by hand or use insecticidal soap. Fungus or root rot can occur if the plant is overwatered or planted in poorly draining soil, so ensuring proper drainage is key.
  3. Seasonal Care:
    Hardy in USDA zones 5–8, Junior Giant Thuja tolerates cold winters and hot summers. In regions with extreme cold, adding extra mulch around the base in late fall helps insulate the roots from freeze-thaw cycles. In heavy snow areas, shake off excess snow from the branches to prevent breakage.

Compact privacy screen: Grows into a dense, narrow form, perfect for smaller spaces or as a living fence with a mature height of 15-20 feet.

Fast-growing: Reaches impressive heights quickly, providing privacy and wind protection in a short time.

Low-maintenance evergreen: Requires minimal care, with lush, green foliage that stays vibrant year-round.

Description

Junior Giant Thuja Tree – Compact Evergreen Beauty with Reliable Privacy and Year-Round Color

The Junior Giant Thuja Tree (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Junior Giant') is a compact, fast-growing evergreen known for its dense, lush foliage and its ability to provide excellent privacy in smaller landscapes. This hardy, low-maintenance tree offers the same benefits as the larger Green Giant Thuja but in a more manageable size. Perfect for creating natural privacy screens, windbreaks, or as an elegant standalone feature, the Junior Giant brings beauty and practical functionality to any garden or yard. Its rich, green foliage and narrow, upright growth make it an ideal choice for homeowners seeking privacy without the maintenance or space requirements of larger trees.

Key Features of Junior Giant Thuja:

  • Compact Growth: Reaches 15-20 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide, making it ideal for small to medium-sized yards or garden borders.
  • Fast-Growing & Dense Foliage: Grows 2-3 feet per year, forming a dense, evergreen barrier that offers year-round privacy and wind protection.
  • Year-Round Color: Features vibrant green foliage that stays fresh and bright even in winter, adding constant beauty and color to your landscape.
  • Low Maintenance & Drought-Tolerant: Thrives in USDA Zones 5-9, requiring minimal care once established and tolerating various soil conditions and dry periods.
  • Excellent for Privacy Screens & Windbreaks: Creates a thick, lush privacy screen or windbreak with its dense foliage and upright growth habit.

Compact and Perfect for Small Yards or Tight Spaces

The Junior Giant Thuja is specifically bred for its smaller size, making it an ideal solution for homeowners with limited space who still want the benefits of an evergreen privacy screen or windbreak. Growing up to 15-20 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide, this tree is perfect for smaller yards, along property lines, or even planted in rows to create a compact natural fence. Despite its smaller stature, it offers the same thick, green foliage and fast growth as its larger counterpart, the Green Giant Thuja.

Fast-Growing with Dense, Year-Round Coverage

One of the standout features of the Junior Giant Thuja is its rapid growth rate of 2-3 feet per year. This fast growth allows it to quickly form a dense, lush hedge or privacy screen, providing immediate benefits in a short amount of time. Its evergreen foliage remains vibrant and full throughout the year, ensuring your landscape stays green and protected, even during the colder months. The Junior Giant is an excellent choice for homeowners looking to establish a natural barrier for privacy, wind reduction, or noise control.

Low Maintenance and Drought-Tolerant

The Junior Giant Thuja is incredibly easy to care for, making it a great choice for busy homeowners or those new to gardening. Once established, this tree is highly drought-tolerant and requires little more than occasional watering during extended dry periods. It adapts well to a variety of soil conditions, including clay and sandy soils, and performs best in full sun to partial shade. Its natural resistance to pests and diseases makes it a worry-free addition to any landscape.

Perfect for Privacy Screens, Windbreaks, and More

With its dense, upright growth habit, the Junior Giant Thuja is ideal for creating natural privacy screens or windbreaks. Plant it in rows along property lines, driveways, or patios to block out unwanted views and noise. Its lush, evergreen foliage provides a thick, uniform barrier that also helps reduce wind, making your outdoor space more comfortable and enjoyable. In addition to its functional uses, this tree’s compact size and rich color make it a beautiful focal point or background plant in garden beds or foundation plantings.

Cold Hardy and Heat Resistant

The Junior Giant Thuja is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9, meaning it can withstand cold winters and hot summers alike. Whether planted in northern or southern climates, this mid-sized arborvitae tree adapts well to both extreme heat and freezing temperatures, ensuring reliable growth and beauty in a wide range of environments. Its resilience makes it a versatile choice for homeowners across the country.

Why Choose Nationwide Plants?

At Nationwide Plants, we take pride in offering only the highest-quality trees and shrubs, grown with care to ensure they arrive at your home healthy and ready to thrive. Our Junior Giant Thuja Trees are hand-selected for their beauty, resilience, and strong growth, making them the perfect choice for homeowners looking to add privacy, beauty, and year-round color to their landscape. With fast shipping and exceptional customer service, Nationwide Plants makes it easy to enhance your garden with this low-maintenance evergreen tree.

Create Instant Privacy and Beauty – Order Your Junior Giant Thuja Tree Today!

Enjoy the benefits of fast-growing, compact privacy with the Junior Giant Thuja Tree. Perfect for smaller landscapes, privacy screens, or windbreaks, this low-maintenance evergreen adds year-round color and protection to any outdoor space. Order today from Nationwide Plants and enjoy fast, reliable delivery of this exceptional tree right to your door!

The Junior Giant Thuja Tree thrives in Zones 6-9

Growing Zones for the Junior Giant Thuja Tree

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Junior Giant Thuja Tree.

 Growing Zones 6-9
Mature Height 15-20 ft.
Mature Width 8-10 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Thuja plicata 'Junior Giant'
The Junior Giant Thuja Tree thrives in Zones 6-9
Growing Zones for the Junior Giant Thuja Tree
If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Junior Giant Thuja Tree.
Growing Zones 6-9
Mature Height 15-20 ft.
Mature Width 8-10 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Thuja plicata 'Junior Giant'
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