How to Grow American Arborvitae Emerald Green

American Arborvitae Emerald Green

Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green'

tree

Emerald Green is a narrow, columnar evergreen conifer prized for its vibrant emerald-green foliage year-round and compact growth habit. This cultivar reaches 40-60 feet tall but only 3-4 feet wide, making it ideal for screens, hedges, and formal plantings. It maintains its color even in winter, unlike some other arborvitaes, and requires minimal pruning.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade but color and density suffer

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Water: Moderate water needs; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially the first 2 years. Drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply during dry spells and heat stress.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: N/A (woody perennial; reaches full maturity in 15-20 years)

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; top of root ball should be level with ground

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, tolerates clay and sandy soils

pH: 6.0-8.0

Amendments:

Peat moss or compost at planting Mulch layer 2-3 inches deep Perlite or sand if drainage is poor

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-8, with best performance in zones 3-7

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

Growth Stages

Establishment

First 12 months

Young transplant adjusting to landscape with active root development; foliage may appear slightly bronzed due to transplant shock.

Water deeply twice weekly, provide shade cloth in hot climates first summer, avoid fertilizing first year, mulch well but keep away from trunk.

Vegetative Growth

Year 2-5

Vigorous upright growth with rich green feathery foliage; compact columnar form becomes more defined.

Maintain consistent moisture, light slow-release fertilizer in spring, minimal pruning needed—only remove dead wood or shape lightly if desired.

Maturing Form

Year 6-15

Fully columnar silhouette established; dense foliage from base to tip, maintaining vibrant green color year-round.

Reduce watering frequency as drought tolerance increases, prune only to maintain shape or remove damaged branches, watch for spider mites in heat/drought.

Full Maturity

Year 15+ (indefinite)

Reaches full height (40-60 feet) with maximum density; forms dense windbreak or screen; foliage remains emerald through winter.

Water during extended dry periods, avoid heavy pruning which can create bare patches, monitor for disease, thin branches if overcrowded.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Boxwood Yew Dwarf Alberta Spruce Juniper Serviceberry Ornamental grasses Shade-tolerant perennials

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (toxic juglone) Shallow-rooted trees competing for water Plants needing intense direct sun (in shade of arborvitae)

Common Pests

Increase humidity with regular misting, strong water spray, horticultural oil spray, avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer
Hand-pick bags in winter or early spring, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray in late spring/early summer
Prune infected foliage, insecticidal soap in spring, maintain tree vigor through proper watering
Ensure excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, remove infected branches promptly, apply fungicide if severe
Mulch roots, water in fall and winter during dry spells, wrapping young trees in burlap in harsh climates

Uses

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Privacy Screens & Windbreaks

Household

Emerald Green's narrow columnar form and year-round dense foliage make it the premier choice for creating living screens, property boundaries, and wind barriers. A single row can block unsightly views or reduce wind impact without occupying excessive space. [source]

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Formal Hedges & Topiary

Household

The naturally tight, uniform growth habit makes Emerald Green ideal for formal hedging, allées, and architectural landscaping. Minimal pruning is needed to maintain straight edges, and it responds well to shaping. [source]

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Shelter for Birds & Small Animals

Wildlife

The dense evergreen foliage provides year-round cover, nesting sites, and food (small cone seeds) for songbirds, small mammals, and beneficial insects. [source]

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Aromatic Wood & Essential Oil

Craft

Arborvitae wood and foliage contain aromatic oils and are traditionally used in folk crafts, incense, and aromatic purposes. The foliage has a distinctive spicy-woodsy scent. [source]

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Foundation & Entryway Plantings

Household

The narrow profile fits perfectly in tight spaces along buildings, entries, and corners where wider shrubs won't fit. Adds elegant vertical accent without crowding foundations. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not harvested like vegetables. For landscape management: thin overcrowded inner branches in spring for air circulation to prevent disease; remove dead or damaged branches anytime. Cuttings can be propagated in summer.

Fun Facts

🌱 Emerald Green is so reliably columnar that it's also marketed under the registered trademark 'Emerald Green®' and won the prestigious Gold Medal Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in 1994.
🌱 Native arborvitae ('tree of life') was one of the first North American trees brought back to Europe in the 1500s and was considered nearly miraculous by French explorers for its ability to cure scurvy due to its vitamin C content.
🌱 Unlike many evergreens, Emerald Green actually maintains its vibrant emerald color throughout harsh winters—no browning or color shift—which is why it's preferred over other green arborvitae cultivars for colder climates.

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