Emerald Green Arborvitae Growth Rate and Chart

The Emerald Green Arborvitae, or Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’, is a popular evergreen for residential landscapes. Its dense, bright green foliage and narrow, upright form make it a frequent choice for creating living privacy walls and accenting foundations. Known for maintaining its vibrant color throughout the year, this plant offers structure and consistency in garden designs. Understanding its growth progression is helpful for landscape planning and managing expectations.

Emerald Green Arborvitae Growth Chart

The growth of an Emerald Green Arborvitae is considered slow to moderate, with an annual increase of about 6 to 9 inches in height once the plant is established. In the first year after planting, you may observe less top growth as the tree directs its energy toward developing a strong root system.

When purchased from a nursery, these trees are often between 3 to 4 feet tall. After one year in the ground, a 3-foot tree could reach nearly 4 feet. By the end of year three, the same tree might stand between 5 and 6 feet tall, beginning to form a noticeable presence. Continuing this trajectory, it could be approximately 7 to 8 feet tall by year five.

You can expect an Emerald Green Arborvitae to achieve its full height of 12 to 15 feet in about 10 to 15 years. Once it nears this mature height, its upward growth slows considerably. This growth chart assumes the plant is in favorable conditions, and actual results can differ based on environmental factors.

Key Factors Affecting Growth Rate

Sunlight

Sunlight exposure directly influences the growth density and speed of an Emerald Green Arborvitae. For vigorous development, the tree should receive at least six hours of direct, full sun each day. If planted in partial shade, the tree will still grow, but its rate will be slower, and the foliage may become less compact.

Soil

Emerald Green Arborvitae performs best in well-draining soil that prevents water from pooling around the root system. Heavy clay soils can retain too much moisture and restrict root expansion, while overly sandy soils may drain too quickly. An ideal soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral. Amending the soil with compost at the time of planting can improve its structure and provide initial nutrients.

Watering

Proper watering is important, especially during the tree’s first few years. For the first few months after planting, a new arborvitae needs consistent moisture, often requiring watering twice a week to help its roots establish. After this initial period, you can reduce watering to about once a week, ensuring the tree receives the equivalent of a half-inch to one inch of water. Both under-watering and over-watering will negatively affect the tree’s growth.

Fertilization

While not always necessary in nutrient-rich soil, fertilization can support more robust growth. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer for evergreens in the early spring can provide a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season. This application can encourage thicker foliage. It is best to follow the product’s instructions for application rates to avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm the plant.

Spacing for Optimal Growth and Privacy

Proper spacing affects both the health of individual trees and the effectiveness of a planned hedge or screen. The mature width of an Emerald Green Arborvitae is 3 to 4 feet, which should guide your planting distances. Calculating the correct spacing from the center of one plant to the next ensures the trees have adequate resources to thrive.

To create a dense privacy screen, plant the trees closer together. Placing them with 2 to 3 feet between their centers will encourage the branches to interlock as they grow, forming a continuous living wall. This tight spacing is effective for privacy but increases competition for sunlight, water, and soil nutrients.

To feature them as individual specimens in a row, wider spacing is recommended. Planting them 4 to 6 feet apart allows each tree to grow to its full, natural pyramidal shape. This approach promotes better air circulation, which can reduce the risk of disease. The trade-off is that it will take significantly longer for the gaps between the trees to fill.