Learn More About Arborvitae, the Tree of Life

Whitney Laritson | February 14, 2026

Garden Design Ideas for Using Arborvitae in the Landscape

Natural grown Arborvitae provide a soft, elegant, fine textured look as they gain in size each year. Classic use of Arborvitae is for screening out unsightly views, and for blocking winter winds on the north and west sides of your home.

Both Emerald Green and North Pole Arborvitaes are of the same species (known as Eastern White Cedar or Northern White Cedar) that grows fast, tall and they both stay quite narrow without pruning. If you plant them closer together, they make a solid screen sooner. Both of these varieties can be planted every three or four feet and just allow them to grow and touch each other. There is no need to keep the plants trimmed to prevent them from touching but you want them to mesh together and make a nice solid green screen.

And Spring Grove, Green Giant, and Sugar and Spice are all the species plicata (known as Western Arborvitae). The interesting thing about these three varieties, the deer find them less desirable once they get up a few feet tall. These three selections look fantastic if you use them in a more natural untrimmed form. A somewhat staggered informal planting in groups of three of fives is wildly desirable. These western Arborvitae selections are also incredible windbreaks and screening plants in smaller and larger numbers.

Establishing Your Arborvitae, Tree of Life

All Arborvitae are simply grown with few problems in areas that have sufficient moisture. Watch the hardiness zones in which they grow within as they are for zones 3-9, but each one is specific to a range of northern zones.

The container plants that Nature Hills sells are the perfect sizes to establish new plantings of both species of Arborvitae. Water carefully at the start making sure not to allow them to dry out. Once established, they will appreciate a drink during dry spells and it’s always a great idea to water before winter cold freezes up the soil.

Arborvitae are green screens in which many are quite narrow not using up lots of space in your yard. Blocking out ugly views, creating amazing backdrops to your favorite shrub and perennial borders, or even used to reduce your energy bills from blocking those cold winter winds if they are planted on the north and west sides of your home. Left natural, they work beautiful with natives and a freeform style. Formal gardens use Arborvitae trimmed in formal hedges and in living sheared walls that are easy to maintain.

Expert Tips for Pruning Arborvitae

If you trim back the tops of the plants, you will encourage the plants to become wider. It is an extremely useful tip if something were to damage the bottoms of your Arborvitae. It is one of the only evergreens that are able to generate new growth near the bottoms of the plants…good to know.

Most all Arborvitae can be trimmed or sheared into formal hedges, but you can also just allow your Arborvitae plants grow naturally too. Whatever landscape they are being used in (formal or more informal) you can choose how you would like your plants to be used.

Let the tree of life breath some life into your landscape!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can arborvitae be grown as a single specimen tree rather than a hedge or screen?

Yes, arborvitae can absolutely be grown as single specimen trees and look stunning in that role. Varieties like Green Giant, Spring Grove, and Sugar and Spice are particularly well-suited as standalone specimens thanks to their naturally elegant, untrimmed form and impressive stature. These western arborvitae selections thrive in zones 3-9 and pair beautifully with native plants in a freeform garden style. For the best specimen effect, choose a location with adequate moisture, plant at the appropriate depth, and allow the tree to grow naturally without shearing to showcase its full, graceful texture.

How do you care for arborvitae through each season to keep it healthy and full?

Arborvitae are low-maintenance trees that thrive in zones 3-9 with consistent moisture, so your primary seasonal focus should be on watering. Keep newly planted trees well-watered during establishment, give them a deep drink during summer dry spells, and always water thoroughly before the ground freezes in late fall to prevent winter desiccation. If you want to prune or shape your arborvitae, do so lightly and avoid cutting into old wood. For the healthiest, fullest growth, mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and let the natural form of the tree develop without heavy shearing.

Are arborvitae evergreen, and do they hold their color through winter?

Yes, arborvitae are evergreen conifers that retain their foliage year-round, making them one of the most reliable choices for winter interest and screening. Most varieties maintain a rich green color through the cold months, though some may take on a slightly bronzed or brownish hue in extreme cold before greening back up in spring. They perform well across zones 3 through 9, so selecting the right variety for your specific zone will help ensure the best color retention. For the most consistent winter color, make sure to give your arborvitae a deep watering before the ground freezes in fall to keep the foliage healthy through the coldest months.

Can you trim or prune emerald green arborvitae without damaging its shape?

Yes, Emerald Green Arborvitae responds well to pruning and can be shaped into formal hedges or living sheared walls without damaging the plant. Because it naturally grows tall and narrow, minimal pruning is typically needed to maintain a clean appearance. For best results, prune in early spring before new growth emerges or lightly in late summer after the main flush of growth has slowed. Focus on trimming only the outer tips rather than cutting back into old wood, which will keep the plant full and healthy for years to come.

How far apart should you plant arborvitae for a privacy hedge or windbreak?

For a solid privacy screen or windbreak, plant Emerald Green or North Pole Arborvitae every three to four feet apart and allow them to grow naturally until they touch and mesh together. Western varieties like Spring Grove, Green Giant, and Sugar and Spice can be planted in staggered, informal groupings of three or five for a more natural windbreak effect. There is no need to trim plants to prevent them from touching, as the goal is a continuous green screen. Choose your spacing based on how quickly you want full coverage, with closer spacing delivering results sooner.

How do you plant arborvitae so it establishes well and avoids dieback after transplanting?

Choose container-grown arborvitae sized for easy establishment, and plant in a location suited to your hardiness zone, keeping in mind arborvitae thrive in zones 3 through 9 depending on variety. Water consistently after planting to prevent the roots from drying out, which is the most common cause of transplant failure. As the plant settles in, continue to water during dry spells throughout the growing season, and give it a thorough deep watering before the ground freezes in fall to protect roots through winter. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during that first critical year, and your arborvitae will reward you with strong, steady growth.

How much sun do arborvitae need, and will they grow in partial shade?

Arborvitae perform best in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the densest growth and strongest form. They can tolerate partial shade, but reduced light typically results in looser, less vigorous growth and a thinner screen. For screening and windbreak purposes, choose the sunniest location available on your property, particularly on the north and west sides of your home where they will also provide the greatest energy-saving benefits.

How fast do arborvitae grow, and which varieties are best for quickly filling in a landscape?

Arborvitae are known for their reliable growth habits, with varieties like Emerald Green, North Pole, Green Giant, and Spring Grove all offering relatively fast establishment in zones 3 through 9. For the quickest screening results, plant Emerald Green or North Pole Arborvitae every three to four feet and allow them to grow together naturally into a solid green wall without any trimming. If you want an even faster and more dramatic screen, Green Giant and Spring Grove are vigorous growers that look stunning in informal, staggered groupings of three or five plants. Focus on consistent watering during the first season to encourage strong root development, and your new planting will fill in beautifully within just a few years.

When is the best time of year to plant arborvitae for the strongest root establishment?

Spring and early fall are the best times to plant arborvitae, as moderate temperatures and seasonal rainfall help roots establish before the stress of summer heat or winter cold. Container-grown arborvitae from Nature Hills can be planted across a wider window than bare-root stock, giving you more flexibility throughout the growing season. Regardless of timing, water consistently during the first season and always give your trees a deep drink before the ground freezes to protect newly developed roots through winter.

Why do arborvitae turn brown, and how can you prevent or fix it?

Arborvitae commonly turn brown due to drought stress, winter desiccation, or roots drying out before they are fully established. To prevent browning, water consistently during dry spells throughout the growing season and give them a deep drink before the ground freezes in late fall to protect against winter burn. If browning occurs, trim away any dead foliage in early spring and resume a steady watering schedule to encourage new growth from healthy branches.