Green Giant Arborvitae is the fastest-growing privacy tree for Georgia yards, adding 3-5 feet of height per year until it matures at 30-40 feet tall and 12-18 feet wide. It outpaces Leyland Cypress in long-term health because it resists the bagworm infestations and canker diseases that eventually kill many Leyland Cypress screens in the Southeast, and it tolerates Georgia's clay soil and humidity better than almost any other columnar evergreen.
For homeowners who need a solid visual and sound barrier within two to three growing seasons, growth rate is the single most important spec on the plant tag. But growth rate alone doesn't tell the whole story — a fast-growing tree that dies of disease in year six isn't actually the fastest way to permanent privacy. That's why Green Giant, not Leyland Cypress, is the top recommendation for most Gwinnett County properties.
How Fast Does Green Giant Arborvitae Actually Grow?
A newly planted Green Giant Arborvitae, installed from a 7-10 gallon container, typically adds 3 feet of height in its first full year once established, and can add up to 5 feet per year during its peak growth phase (roughly years two through six). At that rate, a 5-6 foot tree planted this fall can reach 12-15 feet within three years — tall enough to screen a two-story neighbor's view or block traffic noise from a busy Lawrenceville street.
- Mature height: 30-40 feet
- Mature width: 12-18 feet
- Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year once established
- Sun requirement: Full sun to part shade (6+ hours ideal)
- USDA zone range: 5-8, well within Georgia's Zone 7b-8a
- Soil tolerance: Adapts to clay, loam, and slightly acidic soils
Green Giant Arborvitae vs. Leyland Cypress vs. Emerald Green Arborvitae
These three evergreens get compared constantly because they're the three most widely planted privacy trees in the Southeast, but they perform very differently over a 15-20 year lifespan.
| Trait | Green Giant Arborvitae | Leyland Cypress | Emerald Green Arborvitae |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth rate | 3-5 ft/year | 3-4 ft/year | 6-9 in/year |
| Mature height | 30-40 ft | 40-60 ft | 12-14 ft |
| Mature width | 12-18 ft | 15-25 ft | 3-4 ft |
| Disease/pest risk | Low | High (bagworm, canker) | Low |
| Typical lifespan | 25-40+ years | 15-25 years | 25-40+ years |
| Best use | Fast, tall screening | Very tall, wide-open screening | Narrow spaces, fence lines |
Leyland Cypress still grows quickly and gets taller than Green Giant, which makes it appealing for large rural or estate lots that need a very tall windbreak. But Leyland Cypress is far more prone to bagworm damage and Seiridium canker in Georgia's humid summers, and a canker infection can kill sections of an otherwise healthy row with no easy fix. Emerald Green Arborvitae grows much more slowly but stays narrow enough to fit tight side-yard spaces where Green Giant's 12-18 foot mature width would eventually crowd a fence or walkway.
How Many Years Until Green Giant Arborvitae Fully Screens a Yard?
Most Gwinnett County homeowners see a functional privacy screen within 2-3 years of planting 6-7 foot trees spaced 5-6 feet apart, and a fully mature, dense wall of green within 5-7 years. Planting larger stock — 8-10 foot trees — shortens that timeline to 1-2 years for usable privacy, at a higher upfront cost per tree.
What Planting Size Should I Buy?
For most budgets, 6-7 foot Green Giant Arborvitae offers the best balance of cost and speed to privacy. Homeowners who need privacy immediately — for a pool, a hot tub, or a new build with no existing screening — often upgrade to 8-10 foot trees along the most visible section of the property line and fill in the rest of the row with smaller, less expensive stock.
Does Green Giant Arborvitae Need Special Care in Georgia?
Green Giant Arborvitae needs consistent water during its first two growing seasons, roughly 10-15 gallons per week per tree during dry spells, but requires little maintenance once established. It doesn't need annual shearing to maintain its natural pyramidal shape, and it tolerates Georgia's acidic clay soil without amendment, though working compost into the planting hole speeds up root establishment.
- Plant in fall or late winter for the easiest establishment
- Water deeply 2-3 times per week for the first 60-90 days
- Apply 2-3 inches of mulch, kept a few inches from the trunk
- Avoid planting in low spots that stay wet — Green Giant dislikes standing water
When Is Green Giant Arborvitae Not the Right Choice?
Yards with less than 10-12 feet of width to work with should look at a narrower option like Emerald Green Arborvitae or Skip Laurel instead, since Green Giant's mature spread will eventually push into a fence or walkway if planted too close. Wet, poorly drained sites are also a poor match — Wax Myrtle or Eastern Red Cedar tolerate soggy soil far better.
Ready to plant a privacy screen that actually holds up in Georgia's climate? BB Blossoms stocks Green Giant Arborvitae in multiple sizes and delivers and installs privacy trees throughout Gwinnett County and the greater Atlanta metro.