Emerald Green Arborvitae Tree Guide

Emerald Green arborvitae are low-maintenance evergreen trees that provide year-round color and structure. Their dense foliage and narrow, columnar shape make them ideal for privacy hedges, foundation plantings, or accents in smaller yards, thanks to their uniform growth and minimal shaping needs.

Our guide covers how to plant, grow, and care for Emerald Green arborvitae, with insights from Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada.

Emerald Green Arborvitae At a Glance

The Emerald Green arborvitae’s compact size and uniform growth make them one of the most reliable evergreen options for creating privacy without frequent pruning. Learn more about this tree below.

• Low-maintenance: These trees require little upkeep once established, needing only occasional pruning to maintain their shape. They’re drought-tolerant and adapt well to different soil types, making them an easy choice for homeowners.
• Versatile for landscaping: Whether used as a lawn accent, foundation plant, or privacy hedge, Emerald Green arborvitae can enhance any outdoor space. Their dense foliage creates a natural screen for added privacy, while their elegant shape makes them a stylish addition to gardens and walkways.
• Stays green year-round: Unlike deciduous trees that lose leaves in fall, these evergreens keep their lush, glossy green color throughout all seasons, providing year-round beauty and coverage.
• Resistant to harsh conditions: Built to withstand extreme temperatures, insects, and disease, these trees are a durable choice for various climates. They hold up well in cold winters, hot summers, and even areas with occasional drought.
• Ideal for smaller yards: With a compact, narrow shape, Emerald Green arborvitae fit well in tighter spaces where larger trees wouldn’t work. They’re perfect for suburban yards, property lines, or garden beds where space is limited but greenery is desired.

What Do Emerald Green Arborvitae Look Like?

Emerald Green or “Smaragd” arborvitae trees, which are specific cultivars of the Thuja occidentalis tree, grow in a narrow pyramid shape, eventually to 10–15 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide. Their size makes them ideal foundation plants and natural privacy screens in smaller yards and narrow spaces. These trees can grow up to 1–2 feet per year until established and then grow 6–9 inches per year.

_{Credit: Adobe}

Emerald Green Arborvitae Specifications

Emerald Green Arborvitae Hardiness Zones

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zones indicate the best regions to plant various species, with 11 total regions describing horizontal bands of climate zones across the U.S. Emerald Green arborvitae does well in Zones 2–8, performing better in cold regions than some other evergreens.

The only regions where it struggles are the West Coast, the deep South, and Florida – shown in dark orange in the map below. These trees perform best in cooler climates and may struggle in consistently hot, humid regions where airflow and drainage are limited.

Planting

The best time to plant an Emerald Green arborvitae is in the fall, when the tree will face minimal heat stress and not struggle to grow. Ideally, choose a location where the tree will receive full sunlight, or partial shade if necessary.

Proper planting depth and soil drainage are two of the most important factors for long-term success, as these trees don’t tolerate standing water or overly compacted soil.

Follow these steps to plant your new tree:

1. Remove any weeds, turfgrass, and debris from the area.
2. Loosen the soil with a spade. Dig a hole that is about twice the width of the root ball but no deeper than the root ball’s height.
3. Take the sapling out of its container and gently loosen the roots, then place it in the hole so the top of the root ball sits slightly above the surrounding soil.
4. Backfill the hole carefully, keeping the soil loose enough for roots to expand.
5. Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch or compost to help retain moisture.
6. Water twice a week until established, then reduce to about 1/2–1 inch per week.

Planting too deep or in poorly draining soil is one of the most common reasons arborvitae fail to establish.

Tree Placement

If you’re creating a natural privacy screen or wind break with Emerald Green arborvitae, plant the trees 3–4 feet apart from one another. These hassle-free, tidy groupings of trees will grow narrow and pyramidal, so you won’t have to worry about pruning or trimming unless branches break.

Emerald Green Arborvitae Growing Conditions

Emerald Green arborvitae trees are low-maintenance once established and tolerate a range of soil types, sunlight conditions, and temperatures. This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada says that arborvitae perform best when planted in the right location and given enough space to grow. However, their long-term success still depends on proper spacing, sunlight, and soil drainage.

• Sun and shade: Emerald Green arborvitae thrive in full sun but can grow in partial shade as well. Too much shade will lead to sparse growth, however. To flourish, these trees need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Insufficient sunlight is one of the most common causes of thinning foliage and uneven growth.
• Temperature: Emerald Green arborvitae fare better in dry, cool climates. If the air is too humid, they may be susceptible to fungal disease. However, once established, Emerald Green arborvitae are moderately drought-resistant and cold-hardy, able to tolerate snow and ice. In hotter, more humid climates, proper spacing and airflow become more important to prevent disease.
• Soil: These trees are highly adaptable, able to live in a variety of different soil types. However, their preference is consistently moist, well-drained loamy soils with neutral or alkaline pH levels in the range of 6–8. Good drainage is more important than soil type, as overly wet conditions can quickly lead to root issues.
• Watering: For the first few months after you plant your Emerald Green arborvitae, it will need to be watered twice weekly. After that, you can transition to watering 1/2–1 inch per week. Watering the right amount is imperative. Too little and the leaves turn brown or yellow. Too much and the tree may suffer from root rot. Overwatering is a more common issue than underwatering, especially in soils that retain moisture.
• Fertilizer: In general, these trees don’t need to be fed. But if your tree is looking sparse and you’d like to boost growth, use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer with an NPK value of 10-10-10 in spring. Excess fertilizer can lead to weak or overly rapid growth, so it’s best used sparingly.
• Pruning: Green arborvitae require little pruning, but light trimming in early spring can help maintain shape and encourage denser growth. Always remove dead or damaged branches as needed.

Common Problems and How To Fix Them

Emerald Green arborvitae are easy to grow, but they can still face problems like browning leaves, overwatering, or pests. Knowing the causes and solutions will help keep your trees healthy and green. Here are some common issues and how to fix them.

FAQs About Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees