#ProPlantTips: Arborvitaes

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

The Thuja family has long been a beloved landscaping staple when it comes to creating structures within the garden. Arborvitaes create a classic look while offering functional peace of mind through organization and presentation.

Here at NatureHills.com we LOVE our Arborvitae varieties and know that they can add great value and beauty to your landscape. We know you’re going to love them too!

Whether you’re growing the Emerald Green Arborvitae, the Green Giant Arborvitae, or any of the many varieties that we sell, there are a few things that you should know about caring for it. These tips will help keep your Thuja tree or shrub happy and healthy for years to come!

Getting Started

We offer a WIDE variety of Arborvitaes to choose from and picking which one is right for you is not always an easy choice! Here are some things you’ll want to consider when choosing the right one for your landscape.

What To Ask Before Purchasing:

Where do you want it to go?
How big do you want it to get?
What type of maintenance do you want to provide?
Do you want seasonal foliage?
What type of environment am I providing for the plant?
Is it environmentally friendly for where I want to plant it?

Asking these questions will help you quickly determine whether this plant variety is the right choice for you. Another benefit to answering these questions is it can help narrow down which variety of Arborvitae you may want in your landscape.

What To Know Before Planting:

Great for Zones 3-7
Evergreen Tree
Mature Growth is Expected at 10’-15’
Some Varieties Grow Quickly and Others Grow More Slowly
Full Sun Preference
Soil Preference: Acidic, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Silty Loamy, Well Drained, Wet & Clay Soils

Choosing the Right One

It’s important to mention that the type of variety that you choose will influence how quickly the variety grows, both vertically and horizontally. Some varieties are bushier and other varieties are more narrow.

You may have noticed that we at NatureHills.com offer an extensive selection of Arborvitae trees and shrubs to choose from. When considering which variety is right for you there are a few things you’ll also need to consider before planting.

Some varieties have a fluffy look, while others have soft fanning, flattened branches, all are soft to the touch and wave in the breeze in an undulating pattern.

There are many varieties to choose from, but here are some quick facts about the most popular ones:

Green Giant Arborvitae: This fast-growing variety is great for a natural border, grows quickly, gets wide, and is deer resistant.

Emerald Green Arborvitae: This variety is a more formal variety that works great as a privacy screen, stays vertical, and grows more narrow. This variety is not deer resistant.

There are a lot more varieties to choose from here at NatureHills.com, but these two popular choices are an excellent way to start!

Continuous Care

Once you get your trees established and they’ve had the chance to grow into their new homes, it’s time to start making sure you’re continuing to give quality care to these evergreens.

These plants do enjoy their moisture, especially before the wintertime. Be sure to give them lots of moisture and water before heading into the cooler months so that you have a healthy spring tree to look forward to.

They also need protection from drying Northern winter winds. Use an anti-desiccant spray in late fall to further protect them if in an area prone to windburn.

Otherwise, these plants are fairly low maintenance. Their soil should be well-draining, and consistently moist until the roots have established themselves.

Use the “finger test” to stick your finger in the soil near the roots to the second knuckle. If it’s moist, skip watering that day. If it’s dry, give it plenty of water.

Pest & Disease Care From the Plant Sentry™ Experts

While these trees and shrubs stand tall hovering over your garden, they,

like many other plant varieties, are at just as great of a risk as other plants when it comes to warding off insects and disease. In order to keep your trees at their healthiest, our Plant Sentry experts are weighing in to offer you expert advice on their care to keep your garden as happy and healthy as possible!

There are a few diseases that afflict this plant variety that you should be aware of:

Kabatina Twig Blight (Kabatina thujae): This disease causes the tips of one-year-old branches to die and turn a brown or gray ash color. These tips will remain on the plant for many months. You should prune and destroy the infected areas if found. The use of a fungicide can help protect the plant from blight.
Pestalotiopsis Tip Blight (Pestalotiopsis funerea): This disease causes the tips of the twigs to turn a light to dark brown color with black pimple-like fungus structures on the surface. To prevent this type of blight protect the shrubs and trees from winter damages, drought, and other stressful conditions. Like the Kabatina Blight, the use of a fungicide can help protect the plant from blight.
Phomopsis Twig Blight (Phomopsis juniperovora): This disease causes the tips of the branches to die, turn brown, or ash-gray. This discoloration will remain visible on the plant for many months after infection and can cause the larger branches to be girdled or infected. At the point of infiltration into the healthier wood, black, pimple-like fungal structures will grow. To remedy this infection you should prune and destroy the infected limbs. Like the other varieties of blight, applying a fungicide can offer protection against the blight.

Pests:

The Arborvitae family can face a number of challenges when it comes to potential threats of pests. Most commonly the pests to keep an eye out for are bagworms, scale, leafminers, and spider mites. Regular treatment of your plants can help limit or eliminate pest problems that may aris

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I care for arborvitae throughout the growing season?

Arborvitaes thrive in Zones 3-7 and perform best in full sun with well-drained, consistently moist soil. During the growing season, water regularly to establish roots, especially in the first one to two years after planting, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth. Monitor for common issues like spider mites or bagworms during summer and treat promptly if detected. Keep the base mulched to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, and avoid heavy pruning outside of early spring or late summer to prevent stressing the plant.

How do I care for Emerald Green arborvitae specifically?

Emerald Green Arborvitae thrives in Zones 3-7 and prefers full sun with well-drained, consistently moist soil. This variety is known for its more compact, narrow habit, so avoid overcrowding it at planting time and give it adequate space to reach its mature size. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system, then reduce frequency as the plant matures. Applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base will help retain soil moisture and keep roots healthy through seasonal temperature swings.

Can arborvitae be grown as a standalone tree instead of a hedge?

Yes, arborvitae make excellent standalone specimen trees, particularly larger varieties like the Green Giant, which can reach impressive heights and serve as a dramatic focal point in the landscape. They thrive in Zones 3 through 7 and are evergreen, meaning they provide year-round visual interest and structure without needing companions to look their best. When planting as a specimen, choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil, and give the tree plenty of room to reach its mature spread so it can develop its natural form without crowding.

What type of soil and drainage do arborvitaes need to thrive?

Arborvitaes are adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including acidic, loamy, sandy, silty loam, and even clay or wet soils, making them a versatile choice for many landscapes. They perform best in moist, well-drained conditions and thrive in USDA Zones 3 through 7. Before planting, amend compacted or nutrient-poor soil with organic matter to encourage healthy root establishment and long-term growth.

How much sun do arborvitaes need to grow well?

Arborvitaes thrive in full sun and perform best when they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They are well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 7, making them a versatile choice across a wide range of climates. For best results, choose a planting location that offers unobstructed southern or western exposure and avoid areas heavily shaded by buildings or larger trees.

How far apart should I plant arborvitaes for a privacy hedge?

For a solid privacy hedge, plant arborvitaes 3 to 5 feet apart on center, depending on the variety. Narrower columnar types like Emerald Green can be spaced closer at 3 feet, while larger, faster-growing varieties like Green Giant work best at 5 to 6 feet apart to allow for their wider mature spread. Planting too close together can restrict airflow and lead to disease issues over time. Measure your space carefully before ordering and choose the variety that best fits your desired mature height and width for the best long-term results.

How deep should I plant arborvitaes, and should the root flare stay above the soil line?

Plant arborvitaes so the root flare sits right at or just slightly above the soil line, never buried beneath it. Dig your hole two to three times wider than the root ball but no deeper, since planting too deep is one of the most common causes of arborvitae decline. Backfill with the native soil, tamp it down gently to eliminate air pockets, and water thoroughly at planting and regularly through the first growing season to help roots establish.

How much mulch should I apply around arborvitaes, and should it touch the trunk?

Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch in a ring extending out to the drip line of the tree, keeping it at least 6 inches away from the trunk. Mulch that touches the trunk traps moisture and creates an environment for rot, disease, and pests, so always leave that buffer zone. Wood chips, shredded bark, or pine needles all work well for arborvitaes and help retain soil moisture while regulating temperature. Replenish your mulch each spring to maintain the proper depth and keep your arborvitae healthy through the growing season.

Why are my arborvitaes turning brown, yellow, or dropping needles?

Arborvitaes commonly turn brown or yellow due to overwatering, underwatering, winter desiccation, or spider mite infestations, while some needle drop in fall is completely normal as older interior foliage sheds seasonally. Browning on the outer tips or windward side often signals drying stress, especially in Zones 3 through 5 where harsh winter winds pull moisture from the foliage faster than frozen roots can replace it. Check your soil moisture first, aiming for consistently moist but well-drained conditions, and inspect the foliage closely for fine webbing that would indicate spider mites. Apply an anti-desiccant spray in late fall, ensure your tree is well-watered heading into winter, and treat any pest problems promptly with an appropriate miticide or insecticidal soap.

How do I protect arborvitaes from deer damage?

Deer pressure is a real concern for arborvitaes, particularly in Zones 3-6 where harsh winters drive deer to browse on evergreen foliage when other food sources are scarce. The most reliable protection method is wrapping young trees in burlap or installing wire mesh cages around them each fall before the first hard frost, keeping the barrier at least 6 inches away from the foliage. For established trees, applying a deer repellent spray every 2 to 4 weeks throughout winter and after heavy rain events offers a strong line of defense. Consider planting deer-resistant companion plants around your arborvitaes as an added buffer, and if deer pressure is severe in your area, ask our team about naturally more deer-resistant varieties before you plant.