If you’re looking for the fastest way to grow a "living fence" in Canada, look no further than the Thuja Green Giant. While Emerald and White Cedars are beloved classics, the Green Giant is the high-performance athlete of the evergreen world.
At our cedar tree nursery, we often recommend this hybrid for homeowners who want height and density yesterday. If you have a large property or a noisy neighbor you'd like to disappear behind a wall of green, here is everything you need to know about the Thuja Green Giant.
Why the "Green Giant" Lives Up to Its Name
The Green Giant is a hybrid of the Western Red Cedar (native to our BC coast) and the Japanese Arborvitae. This cross-breeding created a "super tree" with benefits that are hard to ignore:
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Explosive Growth Rate: Once established, these trees can grow between 3 to 5 feet per year. It is arguably the fastest-growing privacy tree available in Canada.
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Massive Mature Size: They can reach heights of 30 to 40 feet (and up to 60 feet in perfect conditions) with a spread of 12–15 feet. This makes them ideal for multi-story privacy.
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Deer Resistance: Unlike the Eastern White Cedar, which can sometimes look like a "deer buffet," the Green Giant is much more resistant to grazing.
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Snow & Ice Resilience: Its sturdy, pyramidal structure is designed to shed heavy Canadian snow, preventing the "splayed-open" look that can ruin other evergreens after a winter storm.
Is It Hardy Enough for Your Province?
The Green Giant is slightly more sensitive to extreme cold than the Northern White Cedar. It is generally rated for Hardiness Zones 5 to 8.
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In Southern Ontario, BC, and parts of the Maritimes: It thrives beautifully.
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In the Prairies (Zones 2-4): You’ll need a more sheltered location or may prefer to stick with our ultra-hardy Black or White Cedars.
Nursery Pro-Tip: If you live in a Zone 5 area, we recommend planting Green Giants in the spring. This gives them a full six months to establish a deep root system before their first Canadian winter.
Planting and Spacing for Maximum Privacy
Because these giants get, well, giant, spacing is critical to ensure they don't crowd each other out.
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For a Single Row: Space trees 5 to 6 feet apart. This allows for airflow while still creating a solid wall within 2-3 years.
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For a "Staggered" Row: If you have the space, plant two rows 4 feet apart, staggering the trees in a "zigzag" pattern. This creates an immediate, impenetrable windbreak and sound barrier.
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Sunlight: They perform best in full sun but are surprisingly tolerant of partial shade.
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Soil: They aren't picky about soil pH and can handle the heavy clay common in parts of Ontario, provided there isn't standing water.
Maintenance: Growing Your Giant
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Watering: During the first year, your Green Giant needs a "deep drink" twice a week. Once established, they are remarkably drought-tolerant compared to Emerald Cedars.
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Pruning: You don't have to prune them; they have a naturally beautiful conical shape. However, if you want a formal "boxy" hedge, they respond very well to shearing in early summer.
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Fertilizing: To maintain that rapid 3–5 foot growth rate, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early April.
Order Your Green Giants Today
Ready to stop waiting for your privacy to grow? Our nursery ships healthy, vigorous Thuja Green Giant trees directly to your door across Canada. We ensure every tree is cold-hardened and ready to hit the ground running.