Planting Green Giant Arborvitae In Clay Soil

Arborvitae thuja including american arborvitae thuja occidentalis or western red cedar thuja plicata are attractive symmetrical evergreen trees or shrubs.

Planting green giant arborvitae in clay soil. Arborvitae prefer moist well drained soil in full sun or even partial shade. Thuja green giants grow best in full sun but can tolerate some shade. Arborvitae trees prefer moist soil with plenty of organic nutrients. While container grown evergreens like the emerald green arborvitae can be planted any time of year the soil isn t frozen early spring is best in usda hardiness zones 3 4 and 5.

Amending the planting bed or top dressing annually with several pounds of well aged livestock manure and good quality compost will build the soil quality and support the tree s nutritional requirements. The green color of the foliage lasts all year. The tree is very loose in the soil easy to wriggle like a loose tooth. The plant does better in well drained soil but it is not.

They are adaptable to just about any soil as long as there isn t standing water. Mulch in the moisture help your arborvitae retain moisture by laying wood mulch around the base of the plant. Check drainage before planting an arborvitae and add grit to a depth of 8 inches 20 cm if your soil retains too much moisture. Soil is moist heavily mulched and lovely with earthworms but does get considerable water in winter on a slope.

Thuja trees need to be watered heavily at the time of planting. Most zones of the united states provide ideal arborvitae growing conditions and they are hardy to usda zone 3. Feed arborvitae a few weeks after planting and once or twice per year as needed. To test your soil s draining levels dig a 12 in 30 cm deep hole and fill it with water.

These are sometimes called the western red cedar as well. So you can have beautiful shrubs some people call these trees year round with minimal work. Correct way to plant arborvitaes. Green giant is a hybrid developed from a cross between the conifers japanese arborvitae thuja standishii usda zones 5 through 7 and western red cedar thuja plicata usda zones 5 through 7.

Clay soil is tolerated as are alkaline and acidic soils. Use a soaker hose to supply water directly to the plant s roots. These can grow in a wide range of soils even in heavy clay. In zones 6 and 7 fall planting four weeks before the expected first frost date is preferred so the roots can grow in the mild weather.

Prepare well draining loamy soil for your tree. Mulch will enrich the soil. I would recommend amending a heavy clay soil with some planting mix to improve soil quality and drainage. Green giant arborvitae care.