Green Giant Arborvitae
Thuja standishii x plicata
If the Emerald Green Arborvitae needed a big brother, this would be it. The Green Giant Arborvitae is a perfect choice if you are looking to create a towering natural screen across an expansive area. Appropriately named, this dense evergreen tree can reach up to 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide under optimum conditions of full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Often promoted as a disease-free substitute for Leyland Cypress (especially in the southeastern U.S.), Green Giant can grow up to three feet a year! Given its dense habit, it is a good choice as a windbreak and has been shown to be tolerant of heavy snow. If planting as a screen, plant 5-6 feet apart for adequate air circulation and room to reach maturity.