All About Arborvitaes | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada explains some of the basics of selecting and caring for a couple different species of arborvitae.

Jenn Nawada talks all about thuja occidentalis—also known as arborvitaes. Arborvitaes are fast growing evergreens with thick, textured needles that are drought resistant and low maintenance. Jenn enjoys using them in her designs and she shows her two favorite species of the tree: the green giant and the emerald green. For smaller spaces she explains that the emerald arborvitae is a good choice as it grows tall but not wide. They can be great for privacy screens and marking the edge of a property. The green giant, also known as the western arborvitae, has the ability to grow very fast and get very wide. Jenn likes putting this variety along a natural border. Unlike the emerald green, the green giant is deer resistant, a major plus in woodland communities. Jenn explains one of the major attractions of using these plants is the lack of maintenance it needs to still flourish, but still shares some tips on how to keep your arborvitaes in the best condition.

Emerald Green Arborvitae
* Grows tall, not wide. Good choice for smaller spaces.
* Can be great for privacy screens and marking the edge of a property.

Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
* Has the ability to grow very fast and get very wide.
* Good along a more natural border.
* Deer resistant.

Arborvitae Maintenance:
* Take out all deadwood.
* You shouldn’t have to prune it unless there’s a branch bothering you.
* If you want to prune it: cut at the V.
* Choose if you want a formal or informal look.
* If you would like a formal look, shear the whole side of the arborvitae in early spring, before any new growth emerges.
* If you would like informal, let the plant grow naturally.

Where to find it?
Jenn discussed two types of arborvitae—a green giant and an emerald green—which can be found at most home centers and nurseries.

About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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All About Arborvitaes | Ask This Old House

[vegetablehead]

omg. i finally know how to pronounce this. our builder planted a thuja on the front corner of our house. we have a porch. it was a great privacy landscape, as the position of our house / prorch faced our neighbor's back deck. and in the early days, i would light that tree up with thousands of clear lights during christmas time. everybody loved it. unfortunately i let it grow and Grow and GROW. i could have dropped it myself, but considering close proximity to my neighbor's house, i hired a pro. it was literally 50 ft tall at the tip. nothing could kill this tree except for a chainsaw. all this to say, it was the builder's bad. definitely should have chosen the more expensive emerald green to be planted in that location.

[mlindsay]

Wow, so much information in just a couple minutes! Thank you! I love TOH and ATOH!!

[talktomn]

Lots of dead landscaping trees here in TX after the February freeze. We could use some help choosing replacement trees and shrubs that are more resistant but can still handle the summer heat.

[emily]

You didn't really tell us "all about" them. What zones? What kind of soils? How much sun or shade? Planting guidance? Watering needs?

[michaelthomson]

First of all, Thank you all for the many years knowledge you share with the world over the years. I need help. I've got a row of thirty Emerald Greens, 12 -15" tall (never topped) Snow fell and bent several of them. What is the proper procedure for straightening my Arborvitae?...

[rameshkaranam]

Great Information .. thank you.

I have two Little Giant Arborvitae in our garden bed planted about 4 years ago (Central NC - Zone 7b) .. they are about 4ft tall. Just curious to know what is the optimal height as at 4 ft they seem too big for the garden bed. And is it OK to prune/shear now before hot days in summer ?

[jamesec]

Hi Jenn, you’re looking well. I love arborvitae. Especially cedar and on the opposite end, Golden Globe. Stay safe, Jim

[allencrossland]

I'm looking to plant steeplechase Arborvitea along my property line at my camp in north central Pa. For privacy. I'm told its deer resistant and grows to about 20 feet and 6 to 8 ft. wide. How long would it take a newly planted 4 to 5 foot tree to grow to 8 foot? Would you recommend any other tree that grows to about 15 to 20 feet and not to wide, plus be deer resistant?

[Queenie_Francie]

We have 3 huge thuja as a screen about 50’ tall. They’re beautiful and make a great natural screen.

[seemas]

Thank you for this informative video! I’m planning to get evergreen trees for privacy/screen for my backyard. It’s not a huge lot (about 0.34 of an acre) and I was thinking of planting emerald green until I watched this video, that emerald green arborvitae are not deer resistant! I don’t think our yard is meant for thuja green giant because of it’s size at mature height and width. Please let me know which evergreens would be best that are deer resistant (we live in NYS) and that won’t drop needles.

[JleeA]

You mentioned the back property line: how many feet did you plant it away from property line?

[eddiev]

My arborvitae branches are turning yellow and appear to start browning from the top down. What’s happening? How can I fix this? Also it appears to be spreading what first started with one has now spears to 5 next to it.

Any advice and guidance here would be greatly appreciated!

[cromanxx]

If you live in high wind areas consider anchoring your Arborvitaes.

[Peggy-O-te]

Can you please help me figure out what is going on with my green giant?

[tedstryyker]

I’m trying to determine the type of arborvitae we have in our back yard - could I please contact you with pics for your assistance in identifying it?

[rednhrailroad]

Can arbor vitae wood be used for anything? Shakes? Shingles, firewood,

[stephanroussan]

My emerald greens have gotten way too big and are encroaching on a walkway. Can I cut them back without ruining them?

[tanktexas]

I'm planting Taylor juniper is there any advice on those

[rcasper]

Is there any way to tie the shrub together so the snow doesn’t split them during winter time

[krystalmelinda]

How to measure their tree trunk for fertilizer?