Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae
The Thuja plicata 'Green Giant,' commonly known as the Western Red Cedar or Giant Arborvitae, is a fast-growing evergreen tree admired for its lush foliage, towering stature, and versatility in landscaping. This hybrid cultivar is a popular choice for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, and impressive garden backdrops, thanks to its rapid growth rate and year-round greenery.
Description
The 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar is a large, pyramidal-shaped evergreen that can reach heights of 30 to 50 feet within just 10 to 15 years, with a spread of 12 to 20 feet. Under optimal conditions, it can eventually grow even taller, making it a true "giant" in the landscape. The tree has a dense, uniform shape that naturally maintains its conical form without the need for regular pruning.
The foliage of the 'Green Giant' is one of its most attractive features. The flat, scale-like leaves are a rich, deep green, providing year-round color and coverage. The leaves are soft to the touch and emit a pleasant fragrance when brushed or crushed. Unlike some other evergreens, the foliage of the 'Green Giant' does not yellow or bronze in the winter, maintaining its vibrant green hue throughout the colder months.
The bark of the tree is reddish-brown and slightly ridged, adding texture and interest to its appearance. As the tree matures, the bark may peel in thin strips, revealing a lighter underlayer that contrasts beautifully with the darker outer bark.
Growth and Care
One of the most remarkable qualities of the 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar is its rapid growth rate, often adding 3 to 5 feet per year under ideal conditions. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8 and is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. The tree prefers moist, well-drained soil but is also tolerant of drier conditions once established.
The 'Green Giant' prefers full sun to partial shade and should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. Regular watering is essential during the establishment period, particularly in dry spells. Once established, the tree is relatively drought-tolerant and low maintenance. It is also resistant to most pests and diseases, including deer, which often leave it untouched.
Benefits
Planting a 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar offers numerous benefits:
- Rapid Growth: Its fast growth rate makes it an ideal choice for quickly creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or large hedges.
- Year-Round Beauty: The tree’s lush, evergreen foliage provides continuous color and coverage, even in the winter months.
- Versatility: It can be used in various landscaping applications, including as a specimen tree, hedge, or backdrop for other plants.
- Low Maintenance: The tree requires minimal care once established, with little need for pruning or special attention.
- Environmental Benefits: Its dense foliage provides excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife, and its root system helps stabilize soil, reducing erosion.
Why Plant a 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar?
Planting a 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar is an excellent way to enhance your landscape with both beauty and functionality. Its rapid growth and dense foliage make it an ideal solution for creating privacy, blocking wind, or adding a dramatic vertical element to your garden. The tree’s year-round greenery and low maintenance needs make it a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice for a wide range of settings, from residential gardens to large properties.
Whether you need a fast-growing privacy screen, a majestic backdrop for your garden, or a resilient evergreen that will thrive with minimal care, the 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar is a superb choice. Its combination of rapid growth, lush foliage, and adaptability ensures that it will be a valuable and enduring addition to your landscape.
Mature Height: | 30-50 ft. |
Mature Spread: | 12-15 ft. |
Sunlight: | Full to Partial Sun |
Growth Rate: | Fast |
Botanical Name: | Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' Western Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae |
Grows Well In Zones: | 5-8 outdoors |
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