Did you know that the Emerald Green Arborvitae, belonging to the Cypress trees, stays evergreen all year round without turning brown or bronze? This specific variety originates from Denmark and is referred to as ‘Smaragd’, which is a Danish word for ‘emerald’.
Further, these Arborvitae Emerald Green will not only enhance the entire aesthetic of your lawn but also work as a natural hedge without having to invest in a wooden frame.
Intrigued to learn more about this specific plant? Read here as we have assembled all the information on the Green Emerald Arborvitae in this write-up. So without any further delays, let’s expand your knowledge by uncovering these beautiful specimens!
Introduction to Emerald Green Arborvitae
The natural lush green plants, famously known as the Emerald Green Arborvitae, are drought-resistant plants that enhance your garden’s looks and vibes. Once you have installed them, you can stay carefree about maintaining and watering them, as they are beginner-friendly and a great addition to the collection.

Common Name | Emerald green arborvitae |
Smaragd arborvitae | |
Arborvitae | |
American arborvitae | |
White cedar | |
Botanical Name | Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ |
Family | Cupressaceae |
Plant Type | Tree |
Mature Size | Tall: 12 feet to 20 feet |
Wide: 3 feet to 20 feet | |
Sun Exposure | Full to partial |
Soil Type | Well drained, but moist |
Loamy | |
Rich | |
Sandy | |
Silty Loam | |
Season of Interest | Year-round |
Soil pH | Acidic |
Alkaline | |
Growing Zones | 3 to 8 |
Shape | Pyramidal |
Water Requirement | Year-round: Weekly |
Peak Summer: Twice in week | |
Native Area | North America |
Growth Speed | Slow |
Foilage Color | Green |
Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
Toxic to people | |
Draught Tolerance | Moderate |
As mentioned above, these Emerald Green trees originate from Denmark and provide year-long green foliage, making them a perfect replacement for wooden hedges. The best part is that they grow up to 20 feet tall, making them complement your home in just the right way.
Reasons to Plant Green Emerald Arborvitae
There are a few reasons that make these Emerald Green trees a perfect addition to your collection. Here is the breakdown of the same:
- It can be a great replacement for wooden hedge frames.
- Provides privacy against other houses.
- Can tolerate dry spells once fully grown.
- Retains its color even in the coldest weather.
- The slow growth makes it a perfect screening option.
Want to grow one of your own? Keep scrolling to find out how you can do it!
Efficient Steps to Grow Arborvitae Emerald Green
The Emerald Green Arborvitae is a one-of-a-kind tree that looks lush green and pretty in your yard and further contrasts with each weather condition. However, there is a particular way behind its growth, and here we have mentioned it all in great detail, so read carefully.
Ensure these things are in order:
- The best weather to plant the Dark Emerald Green is in fall.
- Find a space of 3 to 4 feet in your lawn.
- Ensure the soil is well-drained but moist.
- Make sure the plant is getting 4 to 6 hours of proper sunlight.
- Keep the plant moist, and be careful not to overwater.
- Ensure the top dress in spring has a balanced fertilizer.
- Make use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers in early summer.
- Keep trimming a bit of the dieback from time to time.

Here is how to plant the Arborvitae Emerald Green:
- Take the plant out of the burlap wrap and the container.
- Loosen all the roots a little from the root ball.
- Dug a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
- Plant the roots in it, with the roots touching the surface of the hole.
- Fill the hole with soil all around the root ball.
- Give it water, enough to feel the bed is moist.
- Pack the entire thing with soil and water the surface again.
- Put a layer of mulch or compost around the surface.
- Ensure the compost doesn’t touch the stem of the plant.
Other than this, we’d recommend you apply a thick layer of mulch all around the root zone in winter to protect it from being exposed to colder weather situations.
How to Take Care of Emerald Green Arborvitae Plants?
Growing isn’t enough when it comes to plants; you also need to learn how you can take care of them to enhance their overall lifespan. Underneath, we have mentioned all the things you are required to keep in mind to have an evergreen Arborvitae Emerald Green.

- After every snowstorm, be sure to brush the excess snow off the branches.
- If there is any broken foliage or limb, prune it off and stake it in an upright position.
- Give the plant partial to full sunlight, as it thrives in the same.
- Water once or twice weekly, depending on its condition.
- In early or mid-spring, make use of fertilizer for fast growth.
- Ensure your tree is getting at least 6 hours of daily sunlight.
- However, don’t put it in full shade, as it can stress the plant or burn the foliage.
- Maintain the pH level between neutral and alkaline.
- Apply compost or mulch near the roots to keep the plant moist at all times.
- Water the plants twice-weekly in the beginning stages.
- We recommend watering it through rainfall or irrigation methods.
- Plant your trees at a distance of 3 to 4 feet to avoid getting fungal diseases.
At last, if your Thuja Emerald Green Arborvitae growth rate is very low, we recommend you apply an application of a balanced fertilizer with all the major nutrients in it. Moreover, by making use of all these procedures, you can sit back and enjoy the flourishing, lush green plant at your disposal.
Pests and Diseases Related to Arborvitae Emerald Green
There are not many pests and diseases associated with the Emerald Green, making them a likable option amongst other similar plants. However, to not lose on the hard-earned foliage of the plant, we have outlined some specific things you need to stay aware of.
- Take care of the foliage, as bagworms may feed on it.
For this: Handpick the egg bags and destroy them before they get to hatch.
- The tree might get infected with needle and twig blight because of fungi.
For this: Prune off all the affected areas and spray it with fungicide.
- At frequent intervals, check for the stem canker, a serious fungal disease.
For this: Remove all the affected branches and ensure it didn’t reach the trunk.
These are the only few things that can occur with your Green Emerald Arborvitae.
What are the Downsides/Problems Associated With Arborvitae?
In this section, we have explained a few things that can be problematic with Emerald Green.
- There are chances your plant might turn a bit brown while losing its vibrancy.
- It might drop its needles from inside, making the plant turn a bit brown.
- Caterpillars and bagworms might eat away the foliage or leave the egg bags all around.
Take all the preservative measures, like pruning, frequent watering, and spraying of pesticides, to avoid such issues with your tree.
Wrapping Up
If you are looking for suggestions for home renovations, or you are buying a new home and looking for a unique piece for your space, then Emerald Green Arborvitae is the way to go. These green, beautiful, and tall trees act as a perfect hedge or screening of your home.
However, in case you reside in windy and cold environments, we suggest you not plant these, as they will never flourish in that environment.
Do Emerald Green Arborvitae grow fast?
The Thuja Emerald Green Arborvitae growth rate is moderate to slow, meaning it completely depends on the plant and weather conditions.
Will Emerald Green Arborvitae survive winter?
Yes, the Emerald Green can survive extreme winter conditions, especially staying evergreen without turning brown or bronze in color.
Do Arborvitae attract mosquitoes?
There is no scientific answer for whether Arborvitae attract mosquitoes or not. However, it’s natural for trees to attract a number of flies.
Thuja occidentalis (Arbor vitae): A Review of its Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Clinical Properties by ResearchGate
The Mighty Arborvitae by PennState Extension