Emerald Green Arborvitae

A neat, upright column of soft emerald green that holds its color all year and forms a clean privacy wall without sprawling into your yard.

Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green') is the go-to narrow evergreen for a reason. Its tidy, naturally pyramidal habit and flat sprays of bright emerald foliage stay rich through winter — no bronzing, no browning, just consistent green year-round. It grows at a moderate, predictable rate to 10–15 ft. tall and 3–4 ft. wide, making it one of the most dependable choices for a uniform, low-fuss privacy screen, a foundation accent, or a row of matching sentinels flanking an entry. The upright, orderly form fits tight spots where wider evergreens would crowd a walkway or property line.

What I love about it

Emerald Green is the privacy screen that actually stays tidy. No sprawling, no browning out in winter, no constant shearing to keep it looking sharp. Plant a row and within a few years you have a solid, living wall that blocks sightlines, softens wind, and looks polished in every season. It's cold-hardy to Zone 3, adaptable to a wide range of soils, and genuinely low-maintenance once established. Whether you're framing an entry, screening a fence line, or creating a formal hedge, this is the arborvitae that delivers exactly what it promises.

Plant Care Tips

• ☀️ Light: Full sun to part shade — best density and color in full sun
• 💧 Water: Water deeply weekly until established; drought-tolerant once mature
• 🌡️ Temperature: Hardy to -40°F (Zone 3); extremely cold-tolerant
• 🪴 Difficulty: Very easy — minimal maintenance required
• 🐾 Pet Safety: Mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities; generally safe in the landscape
• ✂️ Pruning: Minimal needed; light shaping in spring if desired

Plant Specs

• Mature Size: 10–15 ft tall, 3–4 ft wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate (6–9 inches per year)
• Foliage: Bright emerald green; holds color through winter
• Form: Narrow, upright pyramid
• Growing Zone: 3–8