Green Giant Arborvitae
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Fast (3-5 ft/year)
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
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About Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata) is the fastest-growing evergreen screen commonly planted in Gwinnett County, adding 3 to 5 feet per year until it reaches a mature height of 30 to 40 feet with a dense pyramidal habit 12 to 18 feet wide. Unlike Leyland Cypress, it resists bagworms and Seiridium canker, the two problems that shorten the life of screening conifers in Atlanta-metro heat and humidity. Its rich green, scale-like foliage holds color through winter without bronzing. Georgia's heavy clay soil is not a problem as long as the planting hole is graded for drainage, since Green Giant tolerates clay far better than most arborvitae cultivars but still resents standing water. Once established, roughly two growing seasons, it needs no supplemental water except during extended summer drought. Because a single row spaced 5 to 6 feet apart forms a solid privacy wall within 3 to 4 years, it is the plant we recommend most often for new-construction lot lines and HOA screening requirements in Lawrenceville subdivisions.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 30-40 ft (up to 50 ft possible) |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 12-18 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate — weekly until established, then drought tolerant |
| Bloom Season | N/A (evergreen conifer, grown for foliage) |
| Growth Rate | Fast (3-5 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Yes |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant in spring or fall in a hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper, since Georgia's red clay drains slowly and a too-deep hole becomes a bathtub that drowns roots. Backfill with the native soil (amending heavily is discouraged, it can create a perched water table), mulch 2-3 inches deep keeping mulch off the trunk, and water deeply twice a week for the first two months. Space plants 5-6 feet apart center to center for a solid screen within a few years.
Fast Facts
- Mature height: 30-40 ft, width 12-18 ft
- Growth rate: 3-5 ft per year, among the fastest privacy conifers
- Resistant to bagworms and canker that plague Leyland Cypress
- Full sun to part shade, tolerates Georgia clay if drained
- Deer resistant and evergreen year-round
- Recommended spacing: 5-6 ft apart for a solid privacy wall
Pairs Well With
Green Giant Arborvitae FAQs
How fast does Green Giant Arborvitae grow?
Green Giant Arborvitae grows 3 to 5 feet per year under good conditions, making it the fastest common privacy evergreen for Georgia yards. A newly planted 7-gallon specimen can reach 12-15 feet within 4-5 years, forming a mature screen faster than Leyland Cypress or Emerald Green Arborvitae.
How far apart should I plant Green Giant Arborvitae for privacy?
Space Green Giant Arborvitae 5 to 6 feet apart on center for a continuous privacy screen. Planting closer than 5 feet crowds root systems and increases disease risk in Georgia's humid summers, while spacing wider than 6 feet leaves visible gaps for the first several years.
Is Green Giant Arborvitae deer resistant?
Yes, Green Giant Arborvitae is considered deer resistant, though hungry deer in a hard winter may browse young, unestablished plants. Its dense scale-like foliage is less palatable than Arborvitae 'Emerald Green,' and established plantings in Gwinnett County landscapes rarely show significant deer damage.