Giant Arborvitaes Care and Maintenance Guide

Giant arborvitaes are a type of evergreen tree that can thrive in a variety of conditions, making them a popular choice for landscaping.

They can grow up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide, providing a dense screen or hedge.

To ensure your giant arborvitee remains healthy and vibrant, regular watering is essential, especially during the first year after planting.

You'll want to water it at least once a week, or more often in hot or dry weather.

Proper pruning is also crucial to maintain its shape and promote healthy growth, typically done in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant.

Thuja plant care is relatively low-maintenance, but it does require some attention in the early stages. Planting a Thuja 'Green Giant' involves digging a hole three times as wide as the root ball but just as deep.

You'll need to water your new tree every other day for the first two weeks, either by holding a hose around it for 20 seconds or using 2 large watering cans. After the first month, you can switch to watering once a week, unless it's dry and hot, in which case you should water twice a week.

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Fertilizing your Thuja 'Green Giant' is essential for optimal growth, and you should start feeding it with a balanced evergreen tree and shrub fertilizer in the spring. Pruning is not necessary if you're growing the tree with enough space for it to maintain its natural pyramid shape.

Here's a watering schedule to keep in mind:

Giant arborvitae trees can thrive in a variety of conditions, but they do require some specific care to reach their full potential.

They can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.

Giant arborvitae trees are drought tolerant, which means they can survive with minimal watering, but they'll still perform best with regular watering.

They're resistant to ice and snow damage, making them a great choice for areas with harsh winters.

You can plant them in almost any soil type, including sandy loam or heavy clays. They prefer direct sunlight, but also do well in partial shade.

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To ensure optimal growth, plant them 5 to 6 feet apart for a dense barrier, or 8 to 10 feet apart for a more spaced-out look.

Here's a table to help you plan your planting:

Planting a giant arborvitae requires some planning, so make sure to measure the area where you want to plant it to estimate the number of trees you need.

Dig a hole for each tree that's three times as wide as the root ball but just as deep. This will give the roots enough room to grow. Fill in around the tree with the same soil you took out when initially digging the hole, and then tamp down as you fill to cut back on any air pockets from forming.

Water your new tree every other day for the first two weeks by holding a hose around it and counting to 20, or use two large watering cans full of water. After the first month, you can water once a week unless it's dry and hot, in which case you should water twice a week.

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Planting your Thuja Green Giant requires some planning, especially since it's a large landscape tree. Measure the area where you'd like to plant your hedge or row to estimate the number of trees you need.

Dig a hole for each tree that's three times as wide as the root ball but just as deep. Fill in around the tree with the same soil you took out when initially digging the hole, and tamp down as you fill to cut back on air pockets from forming. Water the tree, then mulch to conserve moisture.

You'll need to water your new tree every other day for the first two weeks, holding a hose around it and counting to 20. If you don't have a hose, use two large watering cans full of water (smaller trees may only need a light soaking).

Here's a watering schedule for the first six months:

After the first month, water once a week unless it's dry and hot (no rain and temperatures above 80 degrees). If it's hot and dry, water twice a week. After the first year, the trees will be established and won't need any extra water, relying on natural rainfall.

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You won't need to fertilize your Thuja Green Giant during the first year, but starting in the spring, use a balanced evergreen tree and shrub fertilizer for optimal growth.

Pruning is minimal for this tree, but if you're growing several close together as a hedge, shear the plants yearly after the final frost.

Propagating Arborvitae can be done through stem cuttings between July and March. This is a common method used by commercial growers.

Taking stem cuttings is a practical way for home gardeners to propagate arborvitae. The cuttings can be exposed to intermittent mist to root, although this method may not be feasible for many home gardeners.

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The Thuja Green Giant is a stunning evergreen that's perfect for creating a lush, rich privacy screen. It can grow up to 3-5 feet per year once established.

These trees are incredibly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of conditions. They're drought tolerant, disease and insect resistant, and easy to grow. You can plant them in almost any soil, including sandy loam or heavy clays.

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One of the best things about Thuja Green Giants is their uniform shape and height. They grow to be 20-25 feet tall, 25-30 feet tall, or 30-40 feet tall, depending on the desired height. This makes them perfect for creating a classic French Renaissance look without having to prune or shear.

Here's a handy table to help you plan your Thuja Green Giant installation:

With proper care, Thuja Green Giants aren't typically prone to deer or bagworm problems. They're also resistant to ice and snow damage, making them a great choice for areas with harsh winters.

Giant arborvitae trees are generally easy to care for, tolerant of drought, heat, humidity, cold, wind, ice, and snow damage, and resistant to many pests, including deer.

One thing to watch out for is scale insects and bagworms, which can be a problem for these trees.

You'll also want to keep an eye out for root rot in poorly drained soils.

Here's a quick rundown of the pests and problems you should be aware of:

Giant arborvitae trees can grow very quickly, adding 3 to 5 feet per year, and can reach over 50 feet in height and 5 feet in width in just 10 years.

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