Emerald Green Arborvitae
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Slow to Moderate (6-9 in/year)
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Pet safe
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About Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd') is a narrow, columnar conifer that grows 12 to 15 feet tall but only 3 to 4 feet wide, making it the go-to choice when a customer needs a tight evergreen screen in a narrow side yard where Green Giant Arborvitae would grow too wide. Its foliage stays bright emerald-green year-round rather than bronzing in winter like many arborvitae. Growth is slow to moderate at 6 to 9 inches per year, so it takes longer to fill in than Green Giant but requires far less lateral space and rarely needs shearing to maintain its natural columnar shape. In Georgia's clay soil it performs best with a well-drained planting site, since Emerald Green is more prone to root rot in soggy conditions than the more vigorous Green Giant. Deer will browse it more readily than Green Giant Arborvitae, so it is best used in fenced yards or areas without heavy deer pressure in the Lawrenceville area.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 12-15 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 3-4 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate — regular water needed, less drought tolerant than Green Giant |
| Bloom Season | N/A (evergreen conifer, grown for foliage) |
| Growth Rate | Slow to Moderate (6-9 in/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | No |
| Pet Safe | Yes |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Choose a site with excellent drainage; if your Gwinnett County lot has heavy clay, amend a wide planting area or build a slightly raised bed rather than digging a single deep hole. Space plants 3-4 feet apart for a tight, uniform screen. Water two to three times weekly during the first summer, since Emerald Green is less drought tolerant than other arborvitae once established. Avoid deer-prone, unfenced areas.
Fast Facts
- Mature height: 12-15 ft, width only 3-4 ft — ideal for narrow spaces
- Slower growth than Green Giant: 6-9 inches per year
- Naturally columnar, needs little to no shearing
- Not deer resistant — best in fenced yards
- Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil
- Evergreen bright green color year-round, no winter bronzing
Pairs Well With
Emerald Green Arborvitae FAQs
What is the difference between Emerald Green and Green Giant Arborvitae?
Emerald Green Arborvitae stays narrow at 3-4 feet wide and grows slowly (6-9 in/year), ideal for tight side yards, while Green Giant grows fast (3-5 ft/year) to 12-18 feet wide and needs more space. Emerald Green is also less drought tolerant and more deer-susceptible than Green Giant.
How far apart should Emerald Green Arborvitae be planted?
Plant Emerald Green Arborvitae 3 to 4 feet apart on center for a dense, continuous privacy screen. Because it stays narrow at maturity, this tighter spacing works well without the crowding issues that wider-growing evergreens face at the same distance.
Do deer eat Emerald Green Arborvitae?
Yes, deer readily browse Emerald Green Arborvitae, especially newly planted specimens in fall and winter when other food is scarce. In Gwinnett County areas with heavy deer traffic, protect young plants with fencing or repellent, or choose the more deer-resistant Green Giant instead.