Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Thuja Green Giants Make Quite A Statement

By Scott Bailey


Need a privacy fence, a windbreak, or an impressive border for your long driveway? Thuja Green Giants are hard to beat. The Green Giant is a well-shaped tree, tapering gracefully to a height of 20 feet. It grows like a weed (up to 5 feet a year), has soft, dense, evergreen foliage, and is virtually care free.

The basic drill is to plant them five to six feet apart in a row. In a remarkably short time, you'll have an unbroken line of year-round greenery, made up of identical trees. They are easy to prune to keep them at the exact height you need against a fence or along a lot line. Planted on an estate, these beauties can shield a home from the road and make a magnificent statement at the same time.

Of course, you need to allow space for them. You can prune them to any height or width, but they are still a big tree. Left alone, they will grow to 30 feet and spread 25 feet wide. In a row where they are spaced 5 to 6 feet apart, they will attain a height of 20 feet and a width of about 8. Planting directions specify at least 4 feet from fence or property line and 15 feet from a septic system. The roots of an established tree spread a little farther than its branches.

The thuja is a member of the cypress family; the name arborvitae may be more familiar. These hybrids combine the hardiness of a tree native to the northern half of the west coast United States and the speedy growth of an Asian variety. They are not attractive to deer or bugs - even bagworms - so never require spraying. Soil type does not seem to matter, and they don't need fertilizer to grow rapidly. Hardy and heat tolerant, they do need regular watering in very dry areas. Trees started from cuttings share the same gracefully tapered shape, height, and width.

A seamless row of Green Giants will do more than make a privacy screen or windbreak. They are an effective sound barrier, muting noise of neighbors and traffic. They can also shield your garden from air pollution. If you're near a busy street, heavy metals from car exhaust may contaminate herbs and vegetables you grow for food. A dense hedge can cut pollution down to safe levels.

With their cross-bred nature, the giants are left alone by deer and insect pests. Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit but heat tolerant, too, they can thrive in planting zones 5 to 9. Check optimal planting times for Georgia; planting at the right time of year helps new trees get established and start their extraordinary growth. Browse online sites for information on size, price, shipping costs, and guarantees. You'll also get tips on thuja culture.

The best deal seems to be a well-rooted tree in a roomy container. A 6 to 7 foot tree can come in a one gallon pot or in a 7 gallon container, depending on the nursery. Buying direct from a grower means you may get a great price - no middleman - and can save even more if you can pick up your trees rather than have them shipped. Evaluate the prices carefully, making sure to factor in shipping costs, if any. Some nurseries offer free shipping.

These trees that look like royalty and grow like weeds can transform your property in such a short period of time it seems almost magical. It's unreal that you can have six or seven foot trees shipped to your door and have a majestic row of them in as little as four years. However, it's true.




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