Private Jet™ Arborvitae

Planting Instructions for Private Jet Arborvitae

1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant Private Jet Arborvitae in USDA zones 3 through 7 in full sun to partial sun. Six or more hours of direct sun produces the densest, fullest foliage, while too much shade makes it thin and open. Avoid spots shaded by larger trees or buildings. It grows 15 to 25 feet tall and only 4 to 5 feet wide.
2. Soil Preparation: Private Jet adapts to many soils but needs good drainage. Loosen the soil over a wide area and mix in compost if you have heavy clay or very sandy soil.
3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, setting the top of the root ball level with the ground. For a dense privacy screen, space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart, measured center to center. Space them wider if you want individual columns.
4. Mulching and First Watering: Water deeply right after planting. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping it a few inches from the trunk.

Care Instructions

1. Watering: Water deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season, more often in hot, dry weather. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. In the warmest part of its range, regular watering during summer heat keeps the foliage healthy.
2. Fertilizing: Feed in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer made for evergreens, following label rates. Avoid late-summer feeding, which can push tender growth before winter.
3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Check for bagworms, which look like small hanging cones, and spider mites, which cause dull, speckled foliage in hot, dry weather. Remove bagworms by hand and rinse mites off with water. Some interior browning each fall is normal shedding.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

1. Pruning: Little pruning is needed thanks to its naturally narrow, upright form. If desired, lightly trim in spring or early summer to shape it. Avoid cutting back into old, bare wood, since arborvitae rarely regrow from leafless stems.
2. Winter Care: Private Jet handles cold northern winters well and stays green year-round. Water well before the ground freezes to help prevent winter browning, and gently shake heavy snow off the branches to prevent splaying.
3. Growing in Containers: It works well in large containers for urban gardens, balconies, and framing patios. Use a heavy, sturdy pot with drainage holes to keep the tall, narrow tree stable, and water more often than in-ground plants.

Additional Tips for Growing Private Jet Arborvitae

1. Fast Privacy: Private Jet often adds about 1 to 2 feet per year once established in good conditions. Full sun, regular watering in the first few years, and good drainage help it reach screening height faster.
2. Deer Protection: Deer can browse arborvitae, especially in winter when other food is scarce. In areas with heavy deer pressure, wrap lower foliage with netting or use repellents in late fall to keep the screen full.