How to Grow Western Red Cedar Emerald Green
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Western Red Cedar Emerald Green
Thuja plicata 'Emerald Green'
treeEmerald Green is a narrow, columnar cultivar of Western Red Cedar prized for ornamental screening and privacy hedges. It maintains a vibrant emerald-green foliage year-round and grows in a tight, dense form without excessive pruning. This evergreen conifer is ideal for windbreaks, hedges, and formal landscape designs.
When should you plant Western Red Cedar Emerald Green in your zone?
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Example Western Red Cedar Emerald Green timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Western Red Cedar Emerald Green
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Western Red Cedar Emerald Green
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-8; most vigorous in zones 5-7
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Get my Western Red Cedar Emerald Green timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
Year 1Young sapling with small root system and initial branching; foliage is bright green but sparse
Water deeply 2-3 times per week; avoid transplanting shock; stake if needed in windy locations; apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base
Vegetative Growth
Years 2-4Rapid upright growth; lateral branches fill in to create denser column; foliage becomes richer emerald color
Maintain consistent moisture; prune only to remove crossing or damaged branches; light shaping in late winter if desired; fertilize lightly in spring
Structural Development
Years 5-10Plant reaches near-mature form; columnar shape fully defined; dense branching throughout
Reduce watering frequency once established; hedge trimming in early summer and again in late summer if tight form desired; minimal fertilizer needed
Mature
Year 10 onwardFull-sized specimen 40-60 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide; dense, vibrant emerald-green foliage
Water during extended dry periods (once per week); light pruning for shape maintenance; monitor for scale insects or spider mites in stressed conditions
Decline Management
Year 50+After 50+ years, some interior browning or thinning may occur; outer foliage remains healthy
Avoid excessive pruning into brown wood; ensure adequate water; remove dead branches selectively; generally long-lived (100+ years possible)
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick bags in dormant season; spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in June when crawlers active; prune affected branches
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Spray foliage with strong water stream to dislodge; use miticide if severe; improve air circulation; avoid high heat stress
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Prune out affected branch tips; apply spinosad or neem oil in early summer during leaf miner activity; generally minor damage
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Spray dormant oil in late winter; use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil in spring; prune severely infested branches
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Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; improve soil aeration; remove affected trees; plant in raised beds if wet site
Uses
Privacy Screening & Hedging
HouseholdEmerald Green's narrow columnar form and dense branching make it ideal for creating windbreaks, privacy screens, and formal hedges. Maintains vibrant foliage in winter when deciduous plants are bare. [source]
Ornamental Landscaping
HouseholdThe striking emerald-green color and architectural vertical form add visual interest and structure to gardens, foundations, and formal designs. Works well in rows, as accents, or in groupings. [source]
Wildlife Habitat
WildlifeProvides shelter, nesting cover, and protection for birds and small mammals. The dense foliage offers refuge in winter and nesting sites during breeding season. [source]
Aromatic Essential Oil
CulinaryWestern Red Cedar foliage contains aromatic oils traditionally used in cedar chest liners and as a fragrance source. The scent has mild insect-repellent properties. [source]
Natural Craft & Fragrance
CraftDried foliage and branches can be used in craft projects, wreaths, and dried arrangements. Aromatic properties make it useful for sachets and natural fragrance applications. [source]
Harvest Tips
Not a harvesting plant; grown for ornamental foliage. Cuttings can be taken for propagation in late summer (softwood) or winter (hardwood) with rooting hormone and mist system.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite being called 'Western Red Cedar,' it is not a true cedar (Cedrus) but rather a member of the cypress family (Cupressaceae); 'red' refers to the reddish-brown heartwood
- 🌱 Emerald Green is native to the Pacific Northwest and has been cultivated for thousands of years by Indigenous peoples for canoes, totem poles, and roofing shingles due to its rot-resistant wood
- 🌱 A single mature Western Red Cedar can live over 1,000 years in its native habitat, making it one of the longest-lived trees in North America
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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