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Giant Green Arborvitae

Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant'

The Wall of Green: Thuja 'Green Giant' (Arborvitae)


The Snapshot

  • Common Name: Green Giant Arborvitae

  • Scientific Name: Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant'

  • Origin: A hybrid between the Japanese Arborvitae and the Western Redcedar.

  • Hardiness: Zones 5 – 8 (Extremely cold-hardy and heat-tolerant).

  • The "Vibe": Strong, impenetrable, and stately; the "instant privacy" solution for the suburban home.


Why It Is the #1 Privacy Tree in NJ

  1. The "Turbo" Growth: Once established, a 'Green Giant' can grow 3 to 5 feet per year. You can go from a bare property line to a 15-foot living wall in just a few seasons.

  2. Deer Resistance: Unlike the Thuja occidentalis (Emerald Green) which deer treat like a salad bar, the 'Green Giant' contains natural oils that make it much less palatable to deer. While no plant is 100% "deer-proof," this is as close as it gets for an Arborvitae.

  3. Disease Resistance: It is highly resistant to bagworms, scale, and the needle blights that often kill other evergreens in the humid NJ summers.

  4. Year-Round Color: The foliage is a rich, dark green that doesn't "bronze" (turn brown) in the winter like many other evergreens. It stays lush and vibrant even in the snow.


Designer Tips: How to Plant a Screen

  • The "Instant Wall" Spacing: To create a solid privacy hedge quickly, plant them 5 to 6 feet apart in a single row.

  • The "Staggered" Windbreak: For a more natural look and better wind protection, plant them in two staggered rows (like a zigzag), spaced 8 feet apart. This allows for better airflow and a thicker "wall."

  • The Sound Barrier: Because the foliage is so dense from the ground up, 'Green Giant' is excellent at muffling road noise from busy New Jersey thoroughfares.


Designer Pro-Tip: Don't plant 'Green Giant' too close to your house or a power line! People often underestimate how "giant" these actually get. Give them at least 10 feet of clearance from any structure to allow them to reach their full, majestic potential without needing to be topped.


Ecosystem & Wildlife Impact

  • Winter Shelter: The dense, interlocking branches provide a critical "thermal blanket" for songbirds (like Juncos and Chickadees) during NJ winter storms.

  • Nesting Sites: Because it is so thick and predator-resistant, it is a top choice for Robins and Cardinals to build their nests in the spring.

  • Evergreen Structure: It provides the necessary "green backdrop" that makes your flowering spring trees (like Dogwoods and Cherries) really pop.

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