Arborvitaes - The Pros and Consequences

Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae is a fast-growing evergreen tree with vibrant, emerald-green foliage, a tall, columnar shape, and dense branching, making it a popular choice for privacy screens and windbreaks in landscaping. It is a highly advantageous and versatile evergreen tree widely used in landscaping. Belonging to the Cupressaceae family, this tree offers many benefits, making it an extent choice for various outdoor spaces. Green Giant Arborvitae gets its name from its huge size. They can expand as towering as 60 feet with a diameter of 18 or more feet. These massive trees are part of the Cupressaceae or cypress family. Their scientific name is Thuja standishii x plicata. Although, that's often shorted to just the Thuja Green Giant. This evergreen got its start in 1967 when a single tree made its way to the U.S. National Arboretum from Denmark. Recognizing the positive landscaping qualities of this evergreen, propagations were sent out. Today, it's known for its ability to adapt to numerous climates. The Hybrid Green Giant Arborvitae The Thuja standishii x plicata is a hybrid tree. It was created in Denmark in 1937, using the Thuja Plicate or Western Red Cedar and the Thuja Standishii or Japanese Arborvitae. While it was being sent out from the U.S. National Arboretum, The massive evergreen was confused with the T. Occidentalis Giganteoides. Luckily, the tree's true roots were uncovered by three botanists from the New York Botanic Garden, USNA, and Holden Arboretum. Once its true roots were known, it was given its current name in order to delineate it from other similar evergreen trees. Identifying the Green Giant Arborvitae The Thuja standishii x plicata has a fast growth rate of three to five feet per year. At thirty years old, it averages 30 feet in height and can continue to grow up to 60 feet. It's characterized by its cone shape and the uniform appearance of its foliage. Best Places to Plant the Green Giant Arborvitae Due to its massive size, this tree does well in large yards and parks where Leyland Cypress may not be desirable. Benefits of the Thuja Standishii X Plicata The Thuja standishii x plicata keeps its color all year, even through winter. Gardeners with large yards can plant these evergreens in order to create natural privacy barriers. These trees are known to attract deer who forage for food, and birds tend to make their nests in them. Gardeners and landscapers love the Thuja standishii x plicata for its rapid growth and ability to create privacy screens. These trees work best for larger properties.