Which Type of Thuja (Cedar) is Right For Me?

So, you’ve decided that you’d like to plant an evergreen hedge to provide privacy, a windbreak, or perhaps a bit of both. You’ve researched some options: Juniper, Yew, Thuja…and, after some deliberation, have landed on the Thuja, commonly known as the Cedar (although botanically different from true cedars, but I won’t get into that distinction here) as your preferred option. The next question is: What type of Thuja to choose? There are a number of cultivars and hybrids, so it can be a challenge to know which is best for your particular situation.

Although there are a few species of Thuja, we’ll narrow the list down to two: Thuja occidentalis and its most common cultivars, and Thuja plicata var. standishii, the ‘Green Giant’ that we specialize in.

Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

Thuja occidentalis is native to northeastern North America, and is often used as hedging in its unadulterated form. However, many cultivars, such as ‘Emerald‘, (pictured above) are often commonly used in home landscapes. SImilar cultivars are ‘Smaragd‘, ‘Nigra‘, ‘North Pole‘, and Brabant‘. Although there are slight differences among them, all have these characteristics:

• Size and Shape:
  • Medium-sized, columnar, or pyramidal shape.
  • Typically grows 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) tall and 3–4 feet (1–1.2 meters) wide
  • Upright growth habit, making it ideal for narrow spaces or as a vertical accent
• Foliage:
  • Foliage is dense and aromatic
  • Retains a fresh, vibrant green throughout the seasons, with minimal bronzing or yellowing in winter
• Hardiness:
  • Hardy in Zones 3–8
  • Tolerates cold climates well, making it a good option for regions with harsh winters
• Growth Rate:
  • Moderate to slow growth rate (around 6–9 inches per year)
  • Its slow growth rate contributes to its dense, well-formed shape
• Soil and Water Requirements:
  • Prefers well-drained, moist, slightly acidic to neutral soils
  • Tolerates a range of soil types, but may not do well in extremely wet or poorly-drained conditions
• Pests and Diseases:
  • Generally pest-resistant, but can occasionally suffer from issues like spider mites or bagworms
  • Susceptible to fungal diseases in overly wet conditions or poorly drained soils

Due to their relatively small diameter and modest height, these are a great choice where space is limited. However, they do need to be spaced closely together to provide screening, thereby requiring more plants in a given space. As the photo above illustrates, they tend to stand out as individuals more than a uniform block, which is easier to achieve with the parent plant, Thuja occidentalis.

‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae (Thuja plicata var. standishii)

The Thuja ‘Green Giant’ is a hybrid of Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar, which is native to North America’s west coast) and Thuja standishii (Japanese Arborvitae). It was first introduced to North America in the late 1960’s and has since become a very popular hedging/windbreak tree.

• Size and Shape
  • Can grow up to 35–45 feet (11–14 meters) tall at maturity, although more commonly 25 feet (8 metres) if planted as a hedge
  • Typically 8–12 feet (2.5–4 meters) wide at the base
  • Conical or pyramidal shape with a dense, upright growth habit
• Foliage
  • Light-green foliage that bronzes in winter but quickly regains its green hue in spring
  • Soft, scale-like leaves that are aromatic when crushed
• Hardiness
  • Hardy in Zones 5–8
  • Can withstand cold temperatures and snow, making it suitable for a wide range of climates
• Growth Rate
  • One of its standout features is its rapid growth. It can grow 2–3 feet (60 to 90 inches) per year under optimal conditions
• Soil and Water Requirements
  • Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, but is tolerant of a range of soil types.
  • Requires moderate watering, especially during dry spells. It’s more drought-tolerant once established
• Pests and Diseases:
  • Relatively pest- and disease-resistant, though it can occasionally be susceptible to spider mites and fungal diseases if stressed
  • Less palatable to deer than Eastern Arborvitae

If you have a little more space, the ‘Green Giant’ is an excellent choice, as its fast rate of growth can quickly provide desired screening while using fewer trees. Although they naturally have a graceful conical shape, they can easily be pruned into a more uniform block if desired.

Both are excellent options for growing a living fence. If the ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae seems like the right choice for your situation, head to our Shop page to find the size and price point that’s right for you.