Mature Size

The American arborvitae grows to a height of 40–60′ and a spread of 10–15′ at maturity.

How fast do arborvitae shrubs grow?

The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreen—shooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter.

Does arborvitae need sun or shade?

Arborvitae, or white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), develops its best shape when grown in full sun, but it will grow in some shade also. Arborvitae will not be as full and dense when grown in shade. Used extensively in landscaping, arborvitae is valued for its hardiness and attractive foliage.

How long does it take for arborvitae to reach full height?

Unlike other types of arborvitae, the Giant Arborvitae is a fast-growing variety. It has an amazing growth rate of 3 feet per year until it reaches maturity. It matures to approximately 50 to 60 feet tall, but it is not as slender as other varieties, growing to about 12 to 20 feet wide.

What is the best time of year to plant arborvitae?

The best time to plant arborvitae is in the early spring. This gives the arborvitae plenty of time to establish its roots and new growth before the winter. Plant arborvitae in early spring for best results.

Do arborvitae lose leaves in fall?

During the fall season there may be considerable browning and drop of leaves from juniper and arborvitae resulting in bare branches and grower anxiety! Let us stress that there may be a number of reasons for this leaf drop. The older, inner leaves may turn brown and drop in the fall.

Do Arborvitaes grow in the winter?

Depending on where you live, they may be planted in late winter if soils are workable, or you may have to wait until early spring when the earth has thawed.

Do arborvitae have invasive roots?

Arborvitae trees have a very shallow and fibrous root system that tends to spread out instead of down. The roots typically only spread as wide as the tree’s canopy is, so they aren’t considered invasive.

How far apart should you plant arborvitae?

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.

What happens if arborvitae don’t get enough sun?

If planted in a mix of sun and shade, it’s vital that the soil is fertile, moist but well-draining. A wet soil coupled with lower light hastens development of root rot and other fungal diseases. Good air circulation around Emerald arborvitae in shadier conditions also diminishes wet soil or foliage issues.

Do arborvitaes turn brown in the fall?

Answer: The browning of the inner foliage is probably due to seasonal needle drop. It’s normal for evergreens (pine, spruce, fir, juniper, arborvitae, etc.) to shed their oldest (innermost) needles in fall. The innermost needles gradually turn yellow or brown and drop to the ground.

Is an arborvitae a tree or a shrub?

Arborvitae are trees or shrubs, usually pyramidal in habit, with thin, scaling outer bark and fibrous inner bark, horizontal or ascending branches, and characteristically flattened, spraylike branchlet systems.

How often should I water my arborvitae?

Set down a 2-3 inch layer of mulch or compost to retain soil moisture. Water your tree twice a week until it is established. Then, it will need roughly ½-1 inch of water per week.

Are arborvitae trees poisonous to dogs?

The foliage can cause skin irritation in humans over time to sensitive humans, so wear gloves and long sleeves if pruning a long hedge. Some reports say dogs may experience digestive upset if ingesting a large quantity, but thujas are not listed on the ASPCA’s lists of toxic plants for humans, cats, dogs, or horses.

How do you keep Arborvitaes small?

To reduce your arborvitae’s height, cut above the spot where the branch meets the shoot. This will reduce shoot growth higher than the cut. For branches that shoot out beyond the border of the foliage, cutting them back inside the border will help maintain the look you want.

When should you not plant arborvitae?

Fall planting of arborvitae will not put it at higher risk of winter burn, unless you neglect to keep it watered well, right up until the ground freezes. Established plants also require regular watering in a dry fall to help them resist winter damage.

How long does it take for arborvitae to establish?

Emerald Green Arborvitae are a type of evergreen that grows at a relatively slow rate, less than one foot per year. Once established, they usually grow about 6-9 inches a year. These evergreens and can take 10-15 years to reach their mature height of 10 to 15 feet. They have a spread of around 3-4 feet at maturity.