How to Grow American Arborvitae Emerald Green
Wikimedia Commons
American Arborvitae Emerald Green
Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green'
treeEmerald 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.
When should you plant American Arborvitae Emerald Green in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example American Arborvitae Emerald Green timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant American Arborvitae Emerald Green
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest American Arborvitae Emerald Green
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact American Arborvitae Emerald Green dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-8, with best performance in zones 3-7
Sign up free to see if American Arborvitae Emerald Green grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my American Arborvitae Emerald Green timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
First 12 monthsYoung 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 2-5Vigorous 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 6-15Fully 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:
Avoid planting near:
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
Privacy Screens & Windbreaks
HouseholdEmerald 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]
Formal Hedges & Topiary
HouseholdThe 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]
Shelter for Birds & Small Animals
WildlifeThe dense evergreen foliage provides year-round cover, nesting sites, and food (small cone seeds) for songbirds, small mammals, and beneficial insects. [source]
Aromatic Wood & Essential Oil
CraftArborvitae 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]
Foundation & Entryway Plantings
HouseholdThe 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.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized American Arborvitae Emerald Green planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start American Arborvitae Emerald Green seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my American Arborvitae Emerald Green timeline →