'Green Giant' Arborvitae (Thuja 'Green Giant'): The Ultimate Fast-Growing Screen

'Green Giant' Arborvitae has revolutionized the privacy screen market with its remarkable growth rate (3-5 feet per year), disease resistance, and elegant form. A hybrid between Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and Japanese Arborvitae (Thuja standishii), this cultivar combines the best traits of both parents into a superior landscape plant.

Superior Screening Qualities

'Green Giant' forms a dense, pyramidal to conical evergreen reaching 40-60 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide at maturity. Its flattened sprays of scale-like foliage are a rich, lustrous green that resists winter bronzing better than many arborvitae. The dense branching habit creates an impenetrable visual and wind barrier from ground level up. Unlike Leyland Cypress, it maintains a strong central leader and is less prone to splitting or storm damage.

Taxonomic Classification

Culture and Advantages

'Green Giant' thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soil types, including clay, provided drainage is adequate. It's notably resistant to deer browsing and most pests/diseases that plague other screening evergreens. Once established, it has good drought tolerance. For a formal hedge, space plants 5-6 feet apart and shear annually in late spring. For a more natural screen, space 10-12 feet apart and allow natural form to develop.

This cultivar has largely replaced Leyland Cypress as the go-to fast screen in many regions due to its superior disease resistance, stronger structure, and more graceful appearance. It's also effective as a specimen tree, windbreak, or noise barrier.