Thuja Plicata Green Giant #1

If patience isn't your strong suit, the Thuja 'Green Giant' is the tree for you. This is the undisputed speed champion of privacy trees, capable of shooting up 3 to 5 feet in a single year once established.

In the Piedmont, we often see homeowners struggle with deer eating their hedges down to sticks. The Green Giant is a good solution. It is deer-resistant, disease-resistant, and tough enough to handle our heavy clay soil without complaining.

While the Emerald Green Arborvitae is great for tight spaces, the Green Giant is built for the wide-open backyards of King, Mount Airy, and Rural Hall. It grows large and fast, creating a massive living wall that blocks wind, noise, and nosy neighbors.

Why we recommend them for NC properties:

• The Speed: Did we mention it’s fast? It’s the quickest way to get a mature screen.

• Deer Resistant: A huge advantage over other arborvitae varieties in our area.

• Toughness: Handles heat, humidity, and drought better than most evergreens.

Best Used For: Large privacy screens, windbreaks, blocking highway noise, and properties with heavy deer pressure.

These giants get big -- up to 40+ feet tall! Make sure you can give them room to breathe. For a solid screen, we recommend spacing them 6–8 feet apart. For more detailed information, check out the NCSU Fact Sheet on Green Giants or ask our team to help you calculate how many you need.