Emerald Green Arborvitae

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SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES
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1 gallon, 6"
3 gallon, 8 to 10"
5 gallon, 10 to 12"
7 gallon, 14"
10 gallon, 15 to 17"
15 gallon, 17"
"Jumbo", 7 or 10 or 15 gallon

*Nursery gallon sizes are trade sizes and do not equal standard liquid gallons

**Pot sizes in inches refer to container width (diameter), not plant or pot height.


Please Note: Sizing can differ between plant varieties and growers. Please chat with us if you need clarification.

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of the most popular evergreen privacy trees for homeowners seeking year-round beauty in a compact footprint. Its dense emerald-green foliage, naturally narrow pyramidal shape, and low-maintenance growth habit make it ideal for privacy screens, foundation plantings, and landscape borders. Unlike larger privacy trees, Emerald Green Arborvitae provides excellent screening while fitting comfortably into smaller yards.

  • Botanical name: Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’
  • Evergreen
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Prefers full sun to partial shade.

WATER:
Water deeply at the base when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry. During establishment, this is typically once or twice per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, water less frequently, providing occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Watering frequency may vary based on climate, soil type, rainfall, sunlight exposure, and establishment phase.

IDEAL CLIMATE:
Hardy in USDA Zones 3–7. Emerald Green Arborvitae thrives in cooler to temperate climates and is an excellent choice for narrow privacy screens, foundation plantings, and landscape borders.

Note: Emerald Green Arborvitae naturally maintains a narrow, upright shape, making it ideal for smaller landscapes where wider privacy trees may not fit.

In hotter climates, consistent watering during establishment and periods of extreme summer heat is essential to help maintain healthy foliage and reduce stress.

PLANTING DURING SUMMER?
Emerald Green Arborvitae can be sensitive to heat and moisture stress while establishing. During hot weather, check the soil 2–3 inches deep within the rootball area regularly and water deeply when it begins to dry. Do not water automatically based on a fixed schedule—both overly dry and consistently saturated soil can cause browning. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to help regulate soil temperature and moisture, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk. Avoid fertilizing a newly planted or heat-stressed tree, and remember that summer care needs may change quickly depending on heat, rainfall, wind, and soil type.

Our Jumbo Emerald Green Arborvitae are grown in 10 or 15-gallon containers and are more mature and fuller than regular sizes. Compared to standard options, Jumbo arborvitae have an overall wider base, denser foliage, a thicker trunk (caliper), and a more established root system, giving them a stronger, more substantial presence at planting time.

Regular sizes are grown in 1-quart (1–2 ft), 2-gallon, or 5-gallon. These are healthy, well-rooted trees, but they are younger and narrower than Jumbo sizes and will take more time to fill out.

While height may overlap between regular and Jumbo options, the difference is in container size, fullness, and overall maturity. Jumbo arborvitae are a great choice if you want a denser look sooner, especially for privacy planting.

Shipping:
Jumbo Emerald Green Arborvitae are shipped burlapped, with the rootball carefully wrapped and secured with a zip tie to protect the roots and keep everything stable during transit.

Regular sizes are shipped in their nursery pots, with the rootball wrapped in a protective plastic liner and secured with a zip tie to keep soil contained, the tree stable, and the box clean during shipping.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

The Emerald Green Arborvitae, scientifically known as Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’, is a narrow, evergreen privacy tree prized for its rich emerald-green foliage, naturally symmetrical shape, and compact growth habit. This popular arborvitae provides year-round color and privacy while fitting beautifully into smaller landscapes where space is limited. Its elegant appearance, low-maintenance care, and dense evergreen foliage make it one of the most sought-after privacy trees for residential landscapes.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate-growing evergreen privacy tree. Typically reaches approximately 10–15 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water deeply at the base when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry. During establishment, this is typically once or twice per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, water less frequently, providing occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Watering frequency will vary depending on climate, soil type, rainfall, sunlight exposure, and the tree’s establishment phase.

Emerald Green Arborvitae grows best in full sun to partial shade. Trees planted in full sun typically develop the densest foliage and most vibrant emerald-green color.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING:
Emerald Green Arborvitae should be pruned only to shape or remove damaged or diseased branches, preferably in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

FERTILIZING:
Fertilize in early spring before new growth with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support healthy development. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Emerald Green Arborvitae is highly cold hardy throughout its recommended growing range. Applying mulch around the base helps conserve moisture and insulate the roots during winter. In areas with heavy snow or ice, gently brushing accumulated snow from the branches can help prevent breakage.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Plant Emerald Green Arborvitae in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the rootball and no deeper than the rootball itself. Position the top of the rootball level with or slightly above the surrounding soil, backfill with native soil, water deeply after planting, and apply mulch around the base while keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 3-7

Emerald Green Arborvitae thrives in a wide range of climates and performs best in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. It is highly cold hardy and well suited for northern climates while also adapting to many temperate regions throughout the United States. In hotter southern climates, consistent watering during establishment and periods of extreme heat is important to help maintain healthy growth and vibrant evergreen foliage.

Important: USDA Hardiness Zones only measure a plant's cold tolerance. They do not account for heat tolerance, humidity, rainfall, or other climate factors. Always consider your local growing conditions in addition to your USDA Zone when selecting plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Emerald Green Arborvitae typically grows 10–15 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide at maturity, making it one of the best evergreen privacy trees for smaller yards and narrow planting spaces.

Emerald Green Arborvitae is considered a slow to moderate-growing evergreen tree and typically grows approximately 6–12 inches per year under favorable growing conditions.

Emerald Green Arborvitae grows best in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It is commonly planted along property lines, driveways, fences, and landscape borders where a narrow evergreen privacy screen is desired.

For a dense privacy screen, plant Emerald Green Arborvitaes approximately 2½–3½ feet apart from center to center. Wider spacing creates a more natural look, while closer spacing fills in more quickly.

Plant your Emerald Green Arborvitae in well-draining soil and water deeply at the base when the top 2–3 inches of the rootball begin to dry. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to help maintain consistent soil moisture, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. During the first growing season, regularly check the soil rather than following a strict watering schedule, as moisture needs will naturally change with rainfall, temperature, soil type, and season.

Yes. Emerald Green Arborvitae grows in full sun to partial shade, and some afternoon shade can help reduce heat stress in hotter climates. However, shade does not replace proper watering or drainage, and trees still need adequate sunlight for dense, healthy growth.

Typically, no. Daily watering can keep the root zone overly wet, especially in clay soil or areas with poor drainage. Check the soil 2–3 inches deep at the rootball before watering and water deeply only when it begins to dry. Hot, dry, or windy conditions may increase watering needs, so always use the soil as your guide rather than following a strict schedule.

Newly planted Emerald Green Arborvitae are especially sensitive to heat and moisture stress while their roots become established. During hot summer weather, the dense evergreen foliage can lose moisture faster than the developing root system can replace it. Careful soil moisture monitoring and deep watering at the rootball are especially important during the first growing season.

The best time to plant Emerald Green Arborvitae is in early spring or early fall when temperatures are cooler and the tree can establish its roots before summer heat or winter cold. Container-grown trees can also be planted during much of the growing season with proper watering and care.

Homeowners love Emerald Green Arborvitae for its elegant narrow shape, year-round evergreen color, low-maintenance care, and ability to create beautiful privacy screens without taking up much space. Its compact habit makes it one of the best privacy trees for smaller landscapes.

More Details

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

  • We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
  • Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
  • Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
  • The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag. Some Jumbo plants may be carefully removed from their nursery pot and burlapped to protect the rootball and ensure safe transit.
  • Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
  • A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.