Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' Arborvitae
Green giant arborvitae is a large, needled, evergreen, conifer tree. Its low-branching, dense columnar-pyramidal habit reaches a mature height of 40-60 feet and width of 12-18 feet with a lifespan of 40-60 years. Dark green sprays of small, glossy, scale-like needles retain their deep green color through the winter.
This tree does best in a moist, full-sun location with light afternoon shade. It tolerates a wide range of soils and, in optimal conditions, can grow 3-4 feet per year.
It resists most diseases, insects, periodic drought, and deer. It does not tolerate salt (spray or salty soils). It is a low-maintenance landscaping choice due to its hardiness and uniform growth habit that requires little to no pruning to maintain an attractive pyramidal shape. Younger plants may be trimmed into hedges or privacy screens.
Groupings, planted more closely together, are also used as windbreaks or to reduce noise.