emerald green arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae: The Lush Privacy Standard for the North Suburbs

Emerald green arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'), a needle-bearing evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae family, is a primary element for Midwest landscapes available at our Mundelein nursery. This cultivar is a selection of the native Eastern White Cedar, specifically chosen for its tight, pyramidal form and its ability to hold a vibrant green color throughout the coldest months. For homeowners in Grayslake or Gages Lake looking to add a reliable year-round privacy screen and a sturdy visual presence to their properties, this tree is a practical choice. Its ability to maintain a neat, formal shape without heavy pruning and its natural resilience to our local climate make it a steady performer in any garden where functional screening and high-impact texture are the primary goals.

Performance in Northern Illinois Soil

This cultivar is exceptionally hardy in our Zone 5b climate and is a representative selection for residential landscapes throughout the region. While many evergreens struggle with the heavy clay and variable moisture levels found in the North Suburbs, the emerald green arborvitae grows well in them, provided the site is well-drained and the soil is amended with organic matter to improve aeration. It is successful in the managed landscapes of Round Lake, where its root system can anchor firmly in rich, mulched soil. In Wildwood, these trees act as a durable landscaping staple, providing a lush, bright green backdrop that remains vibrant even during the harshest winter months.

Size, Spacing, and Growth Habit

Planning for the mature dimensions and vertical nature of this tree ensures it provides the intended visual impact without requiring excessive maintenance.

• Mature Height: Under typical Illinois garden conditions, the emerald green arborvitae typically reaches 12 to 15 feet tall. Its verticality makes it a functional tool for creating privacy without taking up significant horizontal space.

• Mature Width: The canopy spread typically spans 3 to 4 feet wide, maintaining a dense, formal, and strictly upright silhouette.

• Growth Rate: This tree is commonly known for a moderate growth rate, adding roughly 6 to 12 inches of new growth per year once established. This allows it to reach a functional screening size within a few growing seasons.

• Foliage Habit: The foliage consists of flat, fan-like sprays of scale-like needles. Unlike other varieties, it is commonly noted for maintaining its "emerald" hue through the winter rather than turning bronze.

• Spacing Requirements: To create a seamless living wall or privacy hedge, space individual trees 2 to 3 feet apart from center to center. This distance is commonly utilized to achieve a productive and solid evergreen barrier.

Environmental Requirements

Understanding the site-specific needs of the emerald green arborvitae is a key step for ensuring its health and longevity.

• Sun Exposure: Full sun is a primary requirement for this cultivar. While it can survive in partial shade, maximum sun exposure is essential for maintaining the dense, bottom-to-top foliage that is desirable for privacy.

• Moisture Needs: Consistent moisture is a primary requirement. This tree does not tolerate extreme drought well, nor does it thrive in standing water. Providing well-drained but consistently moist soil is a standard requirement for success.

• Winter Resilience: This is a sturdy selection that handles the weight of heavy Lake County snow well, though its multi-stemmed upright habit commonly benefits from light tying in very exposed areas of Hainesville.

• Soil Chemistry: This tree is commonly adaptable to a wide range of soil pH levels, making it a reliable choice for the various soil profiles found across Third Lake.

Landscape Characteristics

In the North Suburbs, this evergreen serves as a source of year-round interest and functional landscape support:

• Privacy Screening: Because of its natural columnar habit and dense foliage, it is the primary choice for creating living fences in tight spaces along property lines.

• Foundation Planting: The emerald green arborvitae is a practical choice for adding vertical interest to the corners of a house or framing entryways without encroaching on walkways.

• Year-Round Color: The foliage maintains a bright, rich green hue through all seasons. It provides a functional visual anchor in the garden even when deciduous plants are dormant.

• Texture: The fine-textured sprays of needles provide a sophisticated visual element that contrasts well with the coarse texture of masonry or the broad leaves of shade trees.

• Low Maintenance: This tree is a low-maintenance selection. Its natural habit requires very little manual intervention to remain organized and productive for decades.

Planting and Maintenance Advice

To ensure your tree remains healthy and maintains its dense foliage each year, follow these straightforward care steps:

• Site Preparation: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade is a practical step to ensure healthy root respiration in clay-heavy soil.

• Watering Routine: During the first three years of establishment, providing regular, deep watering—especially during dry spells in July and August—is a functional necessity.

• Mulching: Maintain a 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk. This is a practical step to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

• Winter Irrigation: Watering the tree deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes is a practical strategy to ensure it has adequate internal moisture to survive the winter months.

• Sanitation: Removing any dead interior needles in early spring is a practical strategy to improve airflow and keep the plant looking tidy.

Reliable Companion Plants for our Area

To create a functional, multi-layered environment, consider pairing your trees with other durable varieties from The Country Bumpkin:

• Purple Coneflower or Black-eyed Susans provide a high-contrast color palette when planted in front of the green arborvitae.

• The airy texture of Fountain Grass or Switchgrass complements the solid, vertical structure of the tree.

• Planting Red-Osier Dogwood nearby provides a striking winter contrast between the red stems and the green needles.

• White Tulips or yellow Daffodils provide an early seasonal contrast to the bright green backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions (Lake County Edition)

Is the emerald green arborvitae deer resistant?

No, arborvitae are commonly a favorite food for deer in the winter. In areas with high deer pressure like Grayslake, using protective fencing or repellent sprays during the winter months is a practical necessity.

How fast will it grow in my yard?

It is a practical step to expect a tree that grows at a moderate pace. In the rich soils of our region, a healthy emerald green arborvitae can easily add a foot of height per year once established.

Why is my arborvitae turning brown in the center?

This is commonly a natural process called "interior needle shed" that occurs in the autumn. As long as the outer growth remains green and healthy, the tree is simply shedding older needles that no longer receive light.

Visit The Country Bumpkin Garden Center

We are located at the corner of Gilmer Rd & Hawley St in Mundelein. Stop by to see the sturdy structure and experience the potential of an emerald green arborvitae for your own garden and find the right fit for your landscape. We are a local resource for gardeners across Grayslake, Gages Lake, Round Lake, Wildwood, Hainesville, Third Lake, and the surrounding communities.

Call (847) 566-2176 or Send a Message to check current availability.