How to Grow and Care for Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees
Common Name | Emerald green arborvitae, Smaragd arborv ... |
Botanical Name | Thuja occidentalis |
Family | Cupressaceae |
Plant Type | Needled evergreen |
Mature Size | 12–20 ft. tall, 3–10 ft. wide |
How tall do thuja trees grow?
Although full grown pure Thuja occidentalis species trees may grow from 20 feet (6 m)up to 50 feet (15 m) in height (depending upon environment) there are numerous dwarf varieties of this conifer available. This means that it can be used as an ornamental plant even in small gardens.
Where does Thuja occidentalis grow?
It natively grows in Eastern Canada and North-eastern USA. Thuja occidentalis 'Little Giant' cultivar photograph by F. D. Richards. Although full grown pure Thuja occidentalis species trees may grow from 20 feet (6 m)up to 50 feet (15 m) in height (depending upon environment) there are numerous dwarf varieties of this conifer available.
Is arborvitae Thuja occidentalis an evergreen?
American Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis This native evergreen is a hard-working, versatile specimen. The narrow, pyramid shape makes it a natural choice for windbreaks. It requires almost no care when used as a hedge or screen.
What is Thuja occidentalis used for?
This means that it can be used as an ornamental plant even in small gardens. For example the cultivar Thuja occidentalis 'Danica' (white cedar 'Danica') has a height and spread of around 20 inches (50 cm). There are over 300 known cultivars of Thuja occidentalis available.
Is Thuja occidentalis fast growing?
At most, it will grow up to 1 foot per year, but usually averages 6-8” of upright growth per year. Its horizontal growth is even slower, increasing by about 1-2” per year outward. This slow growth rate makes pruning a breeze, and it is usually only required once per year or once every two years.
Is Thuja occidentalis the same as emerald green?
Smaragd, or Emerald Green, is a semi-dwarf selection of Thuja occidentalis. It was selected as a seedling in Denmark in 1950. It was extremely desirable due to several features, one being its slow growth rate. Thuja Emerald Green Arborvitae can grow up to 1 foot per year, and grows nearly straight up.
How fast does Thuja occidentalis emerald green grow?
about 1-2 feet per yearHow fast do they grow per year? These trees grow about 1-2 feet per year until they are established. Then, they grow about 6-9 inches per year until they reach a maximum height of 10-15 feet.
How far apart should I plant Thuja occidentalis?
For a shorter hedge, less than 8 feet tall, plant 3 feet apart. For a larger hedge or screen, plant 4 to 6 feet apart.
How do you trim Thuja occidentalis?
How to Prune ThujaRemove dead arborvitae branches as soon as you become aware of them. ... Remove crossing or rubbing branches by pruning back one or both in late spring or early summer. ... Trim the growing tips of arborvitae branches to shape the tree or shrub and encourage full foliage.
What is the best arborvitae for privacy?
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the ultimate choice for a dense privacy hedge. With an Emerald Green hedge, there is zero chance of seeing anything through it. It grows slowly and requires very infrequent pruning.
How close to a fence can you plant arborvitae?
Due to its tall height and expansive branches, many people like to plant this variety along fence lines to create privacy. Planting it about eight to ten feet from any structure is the ideal distance. This ensures the arborvitae can reach maximum width without damaging your house or fence.
What is the fastest growing tree for privacy?
What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.
How much does a 15 foot arborvitae cost?
*Plus delivery fee and taxesHeightTree PriceTree price + Labor5.5′-6′$175.00$255.009′-10′$295.00$485.0012′ -13′$825 .00$1,350 .0015′-16′SOLD OUT TILL FALL $1,050.00SOLD OUT TILL FALL $1,850.00
Are Thuja tree roots invasive?
Thuja Green Giant roots are not known to be invasive or aggressive.
How do you use arborvitae for privacy?
It's recommended to plant them 3′-4′ apart to form a privacy hedge when full grown. I chose to plant them 3′ apart from trunk to trunk. You can also ask the nursery how far apart to plant your new trees. Determine how far you'll space them from your fence or property line.
What happens if you plant arborvitae too close?
The soil your trees are planted in offers a finite number of minerals, vitamins, and other resources. When trees or plants are too close to one another, they compete for these resources. In competition, one plant will win, leaving the other with unmet needs, ultimately stunting their growth or killing them.
What is the color of Thuja occidentalis?
Prized for its emerald green color, award-winning Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' or 'Emerald Green' (American Arborvitae) is a semi-dwarf, evergreen shrub of compact, narrow, upright habit with erect sprays of glossy, bright green foliage.
How tall is an arborvitae?
Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. Slow growing, this American arborvitae can reach 12-14 ft. tall (360-420 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm) in 15-20 years.
Is Arborvitae a shrub?
Perfect as specimen plants, hedges, foundation plantings and windbreaks, these attractive shrubs require hardly any maintenance while contributing beautifully to our landscapes.
Where is Thuja occidentalis native to?
Thuja occidentalis, commonly known as American arborvitae, Eastern arborvitae, Eastern white cedar or Northern white cedar, is a dense, conical to narrow-pyramidal (sometimes maturing to broad-pyramidal), often single-trunked, evergreen tree that is native to eastern and central Canada south to northern Illinois, Ohio and New York with scattered populations further south in the Appalachians to North Carolina. Mature trees may reach 40-60' tall in the wild over time, but in cultivation typically grow much smaller to 20-30' tall. Scale-like, aromatic, yellow-green to green foliage appears in flattened sprays. Red-brown bark will exfoliate on mature branches and trunks.
What is the arborvitae tree?
Specific epithet means from the Western (Occidental) world. The common name of arborvitae (tree of life) comes from early French settlers to North America who learned from Native Americans that the tree’s foliage could be used to treat scurvy. 'Smaragd' is a semi-dwarf cultivar with a compact, narrowly pyramidal habit.
What color are the leaves on a sage tree?
The leaves change from bright green in the summer to a multitude of rich yellow-brown-green hues in the winter.
What is the name of the tree that grows in a windbreak?
American Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis. American Arborvitae. Thuja occidentalis. This native evergreen is a hard-working, versatile specimen. The narrow, pyramid shape makes it a natural choice for windbreaks. It requires almost no care when used as a hedge or screen. Pairs of these hardy trees make great accents for doors and garden gates.
What is the name of the tree of life?
History/Lore. The name arborvitae, is a Latin form of the French, "l'arbre de vie," which means, "tree of life.". Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who assigned the Latin name to this species, picked up on other traits. The genus name, Thuja, is from a Greek word for perfume.
How much sun does an Emerald Green Arborvitae need?
Light. Emerald green arborvitae should be grown in full sun or partial shade. They generally need at least six hours of sun daily, but too much direct sunlight can stress the plant and burn the foliage. However, they should not be planted in full shade either, since this can greatly reduce the density of the foliage.
What causes twig blight on arborvitae?
Arborvitaes are rarely troubled by insect and disease problems, but they sometimes suffer needle and twig blight caused by fungi, especially if air circulation is poor. To control blight, prune off all affected branches and treat them with a fungicide. Bagworms may also feed on the foliage of arborvitaes.
How tall do urn shaped cones get?
Its foliage consists of flat sprays of glossy bright green needles, plus urn-shaped cones about an inch long that turn reddish-brown in fall. Most specimens grow to be seven to 15 feet in height, but can occasionally reach upwards of 20 feet.
Why are arborvitae so popular?
Their popularity is largely due to their fast-growing, easy-to-care-for nature and the year-round visual interest they can bring to a landscape. One of the more popular cultivars of the arborvitae species is known as 'Emerald Green', which is highly prized as a hedge or screen plant, especially in colder climates.
How big does a T. occidentalis grow?
It grows to be 3 feet high by 3 feet wide. There is even a weeping kind, T. occidentalis Pendula, but this requires staking. And there are other types of golden arborvitae: T. occidentalis Filip's Magic Moment has yellowish-green foliage and reaches a maximum height of 8 feet and width of 3 feet.
How tall can a hedge grow?
If you're hoping to grow a tall hedge or privacy screen as quickly as possible, one option is to buy established Emerald Green arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis Smaragd) plants, which can reach 12 to 14 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. But because they are already tall, you will be paying dearly for them.
How big can a Techny grow?
Depriving it of irrigation can restrict its size to about 4 feet in height, with a spread of half that. Otherwise, it can reach 10 to 15 feet tall x 5 to 7 feet wide. Overall, its growth rate is average. Techny ( Thuja occidentalis Techny) is another arborvitae with a moderate growth rate that surprises with its drought tolerance.
What are the different types of arborvitae?
Not all types of arborvitae are a plain, old green in color, either. T. occidentalis Golden Globe bucks the trend, having a round shape and displaying foliage of a light golden color. It grows to be 3 feet high by 3 feet wide. There is even a weeping kind, T. occidentalis Pendula, but this requires staking. And there are other types of golden arborvitae: 1 T. occidentalis Filip's Magic Moment has yellowish-green foliage and reaches a maximum height of 8 feet and width of 3 feet. As a young plant, before it begins to sprout, it looks like a globe arborvitae. 2 T. orientalis Aurea Nana (also called "Berckman's golden arborvitae") is less cold-hardy than most arborvitae (it is hardy only to planting zone 6, whereas many kinds are hardy to zone 2). Nana in a cultivar name indicates dwarf status; this shrub matures to about 6 feet in height, with a slightly smaller width. 3 T. occidentalis Rheingold is known for its rich, golden foliage. It also stays a modest size, at 5 feet high, with a slightly smaller spread.
How tall is Techny?
Techny ( Thuja occidentalis Techny) is another arborvitae with a moderate growth rate that surprises with its drought tolerance. It reaches 10 to 15 feet tall x 6 to 10 feet wide.
How big does a golden arborvitae get?
T. occidentalis Golden Globe bucks the trend, having a round shape and displaying foliage of a light golden color. It grows to be 3 feet high by 3 feet wide.
How fast does an arborvitae grow?
plicata x T. standishii) is an exception, being one of the faster-growing arborvitaes, but its growth is much more than most home gardeners are looking for. Green Giant shrubs can climb to a towering height of 50 to 60 feet at maturity, with a spread of 12 to 20 feet. Furthermore, their growth can be as fast as 3 feet per year.