Green Giant Arborvitae -- Thuja green giant

We do not sell or recommend planting Green Giant in Zone 5 or colder as are not winter hardy

The green giant arborvitae was developed by crossing the Western Arborvitae (Thuja Plicata) and the Japanese Arborvitae (Thuja Standishii) and with so many new plants was thought to be the perfect windbreak or screen tree. Well it is not, it has a zone rating of 5-8 but in our zone 5 here, it does winter burn, some years badly, does not grow 4 ft a year as some advertising says, but more like 2 ft or less It is said to be deer resistant but that means if the deer are not too hungry and can eat something else. If the deer are hungry and have these to eat they will indeed eat this arborvitae.

We have been experimenting with this plant for many years to see if I can recommend it for a windbreak tree. They have a shaggy appearance and I do not believe are particularly attractive as the ones you see in all the advertising have been pruned to look "nice" and all pictures are taken in the summer.

We are no longer recommending or selling the Green Giant Arborvitae for planting in the Midwest for a windbreak species. They are performing quite well South of a line from Kansas city, MO threw St. Louis, Missouri and east to about Norfolk, Virginia. After years of testing they have winter burned badly in this area (Iowa) and many have died in the winter. Plant the Techny Arborvitae in the north, if you want an arborvitae for a windbreak or screen.

Kelly Tree Farm, 191 Quincy Ave. Clarence IA 52216 - PH: 563-452-4300 - ktf@netins.net