How to Grow Green Giant Western Red Cedar
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Green Giant Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'
treeGreen Giant is a fast-growing cultivar of Western Red Cedar that reaches impressive heights of 40-60 feet with a narrow, columnar form ideal for screening and windbreaks. It maintains a vibrant green color year-round and is remarkably hardy and disease-resistant. This evergreen conifer is one of the fastest-growing trees available, gaining 3-4 feet annually under ideal conditions.
When should you plant Green Giant Western Red Cedar in your zone?
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Example Green Giant Western Red Cedar timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Green Giant Western Red Cedar
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 Green Giant Western Red Cedar
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Green Giant Western Red Cedar dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; excellent cold hardiness and adapts well from northern to mid-Atlantic regions
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Get my Green Giant Western Red Cedar timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung transplant establishing root system; relatively compact form; bright green foliage
Water regularly and deeply; apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base; avoid high-traffic areas; provide stakes if in windy location; fertilize monthly during growing season
Maturation
5-10 yearsReaches desired height and fullness; dense foliage throughout; width of 15-20 feet
Reduce watering frequency; minimal pruning needed; prune only to maintain shape or remove dead wood; no fertilizer needed if soil is adequate
Landscape Integration
10+ yearsFully mature specimen providing excellent windbreak, screen, or backdrop; maintains vibrant green year-round
Occasional deep watering during extended drought; minimal maintenance; can remain in landscape for 50+ years with proper care
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil in severe infestations; provide adequate moisture to reduce stress
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Hand-pick and destroy bags; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in early summer when caterpillars are small
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Prune infested branches; apply horticultural oil in early spring before growth begins
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Spray with water; use insecticidal soap; natural predators usually control populations
Uses
Privacy Screening & Windbreak
HouseholdGreen Giant's fast growth and dense columnar form make it ideal for creating living privacy screens and windbreaks. Plant in rows 6-8 feet apart to establish effective barriers within 3-5 years. [source]
Specimen Tree & Landscape Focal Point
HouseholdThe narrow, pyramidal shape and vibrant evergreen color provide year-round visual interest as a specimen tree or backdrop for mixed borders. Excellent for creating vertical structure in residential landscapes. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Bird Shelter
WildlifeDense foliage provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. The tree offers food sources through seeds and attracts beneficial insects. [source]
Sound & Wind Reduction
HouseholdWhen planted in rows, Green Giant effectively reduces wind speed and dampens outdoor noise pollution, making it valuable for properties near roads or in exposed areas. [source]
Low-Maintenance Tall Screening
HouseholdOnce established, requires minimal pruning and maintenance while achieving heights of 40-60 feet, making it far easier than hedges or fence maintenance for tall privacy screens. [source]
Harvest Tips
Not applicable for timber harvest in residential settings; this is a landscape specimen tree. For arborists harvesting mature specimens, timing and technique depend on commercial timber objectives.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Green Giant can grow 3-4 feet per year, making it one of the fastest-growing narrow evergreen trees in North America; a 20-foot screen can be established in just 5-7 years.
- 🌱 Western Red Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and was historically used by Pacific Northwest Native Americans for canoes, longhouses, and storage boxes; the 'plicata' in the scientific name refers to the distinctive flat, scale-like foliage.
- 🌱 Despite its large mature size, Green Giant maintains a narrow form (15-20 feet wide) that makes it ideal for tight spaces where wide trees won't fit; it can be used as a living alternative to privacy fences on narrow properties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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