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Techny Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Techny'

  • Techny Arborvitae Thrives in Zone 3 Cold and Drought Where Other Arborvitaes Fail
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
  • Grows 15-20 ft Tall, 6-10 ft Wide
  • Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
  • Native, Wildlife-Friendly - Attracts Small Mammals and Songbirds
$4899
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Outside your zone (): not guaranteed Why

Rated for zones 3 to 8. Great in a pot brought indoors for winter, or as an annual.

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Houseplant: grows indoors in any zone
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Plant Size
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Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Evergreen, Hedge/Screen, Clay Tolerant, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone 3a7b
Sunlight Full sun, Partial shade
Height 15-20 ft
Width 6-10 ft
Watering Needs Moderate
Preferred Soil Clay, Loamy
Growth Rate Moderate
Blooms In Spring
Flower Color Green
Suitable Space Outdoors, Indoors
Plant Name Arborvitae
Botanical Name Thuja occidentalis 'Techny'
Species occidentalis
Cultivar Techny
Class Pinopsida, Coniferopsida
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
A
Anonymous (United States)
I now have 18 in my

I now have 18 in my yard

Eighteen Techny Arborvitaes is a serious privacy screen in the making, Jay. They fill in beautifully over time and hold their dark green color through winter better than most. Thanks for coming back to us again and again for them.

J
Jaich
Super Techny

Techny trees are wonderful and more original privacy borders than the ever popular emerald green arborvitae. They have a wonderful, clean, and sweet smell. A lovely addition to a nice sized backyard. They grow at a decent rate, maybe 2 ft per year and get nice and full around so you do not need as many as you would need to make a lush border with the emerald green arborvitae.

Hello Jaich,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful review of the Techny Arborvitae! We’re delighted to hear that you appreciate the tree’s unique qualities—from its clean, sweet fragrance to its growth habits and evergreen fullness. It really is a wonderfully stylish alternative to the classic emerald green arborvitae, especially when crafting privacy borders that are lush yet tasteful.

Your insight about spacing and needing fewer plants for a fuller border is especially helpful for other gardeners considering the Techny. For anyone looking to maximize growth, ensuring well-drained soil and regular deep watering during establishment can encourage even healthier, more vigorous plants. Pairing Techny with companion shrubs that enjoy similar conditions can also create a vibrant and diverse backyard oasis.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want personalized advice tailored to your specific garden setup. We’re always happy to help favorites like your Techny thrive beautifully!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

D
Debra
Cold tolerant

I was told by an arborist that the Techny arborvitae is one of the hardiest of all the arborvitaes. I have planted several of them since and so far they have performed very well, no winter burn at all.

Dear Debra,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Techny arborvitae! We’re delighted to hear that these hardy trees have thrived in your garden without any winter burn – it truly speaks to their reputation as tough, resilient evergreens. Your feedback not only reassures other gardeners but also inspires confidence in selecting the right plants for colder climates.

If you ever need tips on care to keep your arborvitaes healthy year-round, feel free to reach out or explore our detailed planting and maintenance guides on NatureHills.com. These can offer help with watering schedules, soil conditions, and pest prevention for continued success.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

D
Debra
Cold tolerant

I was told by an arborist that the Techny arborvitae is one of the hardiest of all the arborvitaes. I have planted several of them since and so far they have performed very well, no winter burn at all.

Dear Debra,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Techny arborvitae! We’re delighted to hear that your trees have been thriving without any winter burn—this really does speak to their reputation as one of the hardiest arborvitae varieties. It sounds like you’ve done a wonderful job choosing resilient plants for your landscape.

If you're ever looking for tips on ideal planting locations or care during other seasons to keep your arborvitae in top shape, feel free to reach out. We also have detailed guides on soil preferences and watering schedules that might enhance your Arborvitae's growth even further.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

W
Warren
Trees died

I bought one foot trees that now are about ten feet, however, they are all dying off. First thought it was gophers, but it spread. Possibly a fungus or disease. Had 20 around property with drip irrigation. Most all dead now. Don't know why. Any ideas?

Hi Warren,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Techny Arborvitaes. We’re truly sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve had after your trees reached such impressive growth—it’s understandably frustrating when what you’ve nurtured starts to decline.

From your description, it sounds like a fungal issue or another disease could indeed be the cause, especially since the problem has spread despite the drip irrigation system you have in place. Arborvitaes can be susceptible to root rot or needle blight when soil drainage is poor or if there’s extended moisture build-up around the base of the trees. Since gophers don’t appear to be the main culprit, you might want to check soil drainage and consider a fungicide appropriate for arborvitae diseases. Additionally, removing the infected branches and cleaning nearby plant debris can reduce fungal spores spreading further.

If you’re willing, our Plant Care Specialists can also guide you through a species-specific diagnosis once you provide photos or more details, which may help pinpoint whether pathogens or environmental factors are fundamentally at play. For prevention, rotating watering schedules to ensure soil has time to dry out, increasing airflow by judicious pruning if trees are too densely planted, and monitoring for ticks or mites often protects arborvitae health too.

Feel free to reach out anytime—we’re here to help get your trees (or future plantings!) thriving again.

Growing with you,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists

W
Warren
Trees died

I bought one foot trees that now are about ten feet, however, they are all dying off. First thought it was gophers, but it spread. Possibly a fungus or disease. Had 20 around property with drip irrigation. Most all dead now. Don't know why. Any ideas?

Hello Warren,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and feedback with your Techny Arborvitae trees. We’re truly sorry to hear that despite your efforts, many of the trees are now dying. It sounds incredibly frustrating, especially after the care you’ve taken with drip irrigation and planting so many around your property.

From your description, the spread of dying suggests a possibility of fungal disease or root issues, which can unfortunately affect Arborvitae. While gophers indeed can cause localized damage, spreading decline across multiple trees often points to fungal pathogens such as root rot or needle blight. Since Arborvitae prefer well-draining soil, excess moisture or poor drainage combined with drip irrigation might inadvertently create conditions where fungi thrive.

Here are a few suggestions you might consider:
- Inspect the soil drainage and minimize watering so the soil stays moist but not soggy.
- Remove and properly dispose of the dead/dying foliage and wood to reduce disease spread.
- If possible, test the soil or send plant samples to a local cooperative extension or plant pathology lab for diagnosis.
- Consider applying appropriate fungicides if diagnosis points toward fungal infections.
- Elevate planting sites or incorporate pit wells for better airflow around trees.
- Sometimes reducing or modifying irrigation timing can be problematic; drip irrigation may concentrate moisture near roots, so ensuring perimeter watering consistency can help.

We hope this offers a good starting point for diagnosing and safeguarding your remaining trees. Please don’t hesitate to reach back to us anytime with more questions or if you’d like specific care recommendations for your property’s conditions. We genuinely want your yard’s lush growth and beauty restored.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
JAICH
Super Techny

Techny trees are wonderful and more original privacy borders than the ever popular emerald green arborvitae. They have a wonderful, clean, and sweet smell. A lovely addition to a nice sized backyard. They grow at a decent rate, maybe 2 ft per year and get nice and full around so you do not need as many as you would need to make a lush border with the emerald green arborvitae.

Dear JAICH,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with the Techny Arborvitae! We truly appreciate your thoughtful insights. It’s great to hear that you find the Technys to be such an original and fragrant choice for privacy borders. Their clean, sweet scent is indeed a special feature that adds charm to any backyard space.

You’ve made a great point about the growth rate and full form of the Techny compared to emerald green arborvitae — their ability to deliver lush coverage with fewer plants is a real advantage for many gardeners. For those looking to maximize growth and fullness, we recommend a mix of consistent moderate watering and mulching around the base to maintain soil moisture. If you're cultivating them during transitional seasons, a light fertilizer designed for evergreens can also support robust growth.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like tips tailored to your local climate, or advice on the best companion plants that complement Techny Arborvitae borders.

Thanks again for your feedback — it helps us support all of our gardeners better.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones does Techny Arborvitae grow in?
  • Techny Arborvitae thrives in USDA zones 3-8, making it one of the hardiest arborvitae varieties available. It withstands more cold and drought stress than other arborvitae cultivars. Plant it confidently in northern climates where other evergreens might struggle.

What is the mature height and spread of Techny Arborvitae?
  • Techny Arborvitae reaches 15-20 feet tall and spreads 6-10 feet wide at maturity. This compact, pyramidal evergreen works well in zones 3-8. For privacy hedges, plant them 4-6 feet apart for quick fill-in, available at naturehills.com.

Does Techny Arborvitae grow in high desert climates?
  • Techny Arborvitae grows in USDA zones 3-8 and is more drought-tolerant than other arborvitaes. High desert climates can work if you're in the right zone and provide regular moisture during establishment. Check your specific zone and ensure good drainage with consistent watering the first few years.

Why are my newly planted Techny Arborvitaes turning brown?
  • Newly planted Techny Arborvitaes typically brown due to transplant shock or insufficient watering during establishment. These hardy conifers (zones 3-8) need consistent moisture their first year, especially in full sun locations. Check soil moisture daily and water deeply when the top inch feels dry.

How and when should I prune Techny Arborvitae?
  • Prune Techny Arborvitae in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Light shaping cuts work best since this compact pyramidal evergreen naturally maintains its form. Avoid cutting into old wood as it won't regrow. Shop quality specimens at naturehills.com.

How much water does Techny Arborvitae need?
  • Techny Arborvitae needs regular moisture but is more drought-tolerant than other arborvitae varieties. Plant in well-drained soil and water consistently the first year to establish roots. Once mature, it can handle dry periods better than most arborvitae.

What pests and diseases affect Techny Arborvitae?
  • Techny Arborvitae is generally pest and disease resistant due to its hardy nature in zones 3-8. Common issues include bagworms, spider mites, and occasional fungal problems in poorly drained soils. Ensure proper spacing and good air circulation when planting your privacy hedge to prevent most problems.

Does Techny Arborvitae do well in sandy soil?
  • Techny Arborvitae tolerates sandy soil well as long as it drains properly, since this hardy variety adapts to various soil conditions across zones 3-8. Sandy soil actually helps prevent root rot issues common with poorly draining soils. Just ensure regular watering during establishment since sandy soil dries out faster.
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