Green Giant Arborvitae and Emerald Green Arborvitae are both popular choices for landscaping and for a living privacy fence and screening, but they have some differences:
- Size: Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant') is significantly larger, reaching heights of 25 to 40 feet with a spread of 12 to 15 feet. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green') is more compact, typically growing to about 12 to 15 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 4 feet.
- Growth Rate: Green Giant Arborvitae grows faster compared to Emerald Green Arborvitae. It can grow 3 to 5 feet per year under optimal conditions, while Emerald Green Arborvitae grows at a slower rate of about 6 to 9 inches per year.
- Appearance: Both varieties have a rich green foliage, but Emerald Green Arborvitae has a more dense and compact growth habit, often used for hedges or borders. Green Giant Arborvitae has a more pyramidal shape and slightly coarser foliage and grows wider offering privacy quickly.
- Hardiness: Green Giant Arborvitae is known for its resilience to various environmental conditions, including heat, cold, drought, and urban pollution. The Green Giant Arborvitae is rated for growing in USDA hardiness zones 5-8. The Emerald Green Arborvitae slightly hardier than the Green Giant arborvitae and can withstand a bit colder temps. It also may be more susceptible to certain diseases in humid climates. The Emerald Green Arborvitae is rated for growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.
Suitability:
Green Giant Arborvitae is often preferred for larger landscape projects, providing fast-growing privacy screens, windbreaks, or as a specimen tree. Emerald Green Arborvitae is better suited for smaller spaces, such as foundation plantings or formal hedges. Both Make excellent Living Privacy Fencing, and Privacy Hedging.
Deer Resistance
In my experience in observing both the Green Giant Arborvitae and the Emerald Green Arborvitae grown in my neighborhood with a large deer population, I can say that the Green Giant variety is untouched by the deer. However, the Emerald Green arborvitaes are often misshapen do to deer browsing.
*** Check out my video below for a real life examples of this as shown in my neighborhood. ***
In general, no plant can be considered completely deer-proof, as deer preferences can vary depending on factors such as local food availability, season, and population density. However, in my experience the Green Giant Arborvitae appears to have excellent deer resistance. It's still advisable to monitor plants regularly, especially when they are young or during periods of high deer activity, and take appropriate measures such as fencing or repellents if necessary.
