Choose Green Giant arborvitae when you want the quickest, tallest living screen—reports cite 3–5 ft/year and mature heights into the 20–40 ft range. Choose Emerald Green when you need a narrow, slower-growing hedge for limited space.
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1Green GiantBest when you need a very fast, tall screen: Green Giant adds multiple feet per year and makes thick, wide fences quickly. Caveat: it gets large (20–40 ft+ and 12+ ft wide), so only use with ample space.
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2Emerald Green ArborvitaeBest for narrow or compact hedges: Emerald Green grows about 1–2 ft/year and stays smaller (around 12–14 ft), making it a neater choice for tight yards. Caveat: slower growth than Green Giant.37%
Yes—but the variety matters a lot, especially if you're in the Fort Worth/DFW area.
Green Giant arborvitae is genuinely fast-growing, often adding 3–5 feet per year once established. It can eventually reach roughly 30–60 feet tall and 12–18 feet wide, so it's better for a large property or a tall screen than a small side yard.
Emerald Green arborvitae is much narrower—roughly 10–15 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide—but grows considerably more slowly, so it's useful where space is tight.
For DFW specifically, I'd be cautious about making arborvitae your default privacy hedge. North Texas heat, alkaline/clay soils, and prolonged summer dryness can be challenging. Local landscape guidance commonly suggests alternatives such as wax myrtle, hollies, and eastern red cedar for evergreen screening.
Yes—arborvitae can be an excellent evergreen privacy screen, but the variety matters a lot.
If you want fast privacy
‘Green Giant’ arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’) is the standout. It can grow roughly 3–4 feet per year under good conditions and develops dense, year-round foliage. NC State specifically lists it as a popular evergreen for the southeastern U.S.
Yes—arborvitae can be an excellent evergreen privacy screen, but the cultivar matters a lot, especially in a hot, windy climate.
Green Giant arborvitae (Thuja × ‘Green Giant’) is the fast-growing option. It can put on roughly 2–3 feet of growth per year under good conditions and can eventually become a very large tree—around 45–60 feet tall.
Yes, arborvitaes (varieties of Thuja ) are among the most popular choices for living privacy fences, but "fast-growing" depends entirely on the specific variety you choose.
Popular Varieties & Growth Speeds
Thuja 'Green Giant' : This is the ultimate speedster. Once established, it can sprint skyward by 3 to 5 feet per year, eventually reaching a massive 30 to 50 feet tall. Great for large yards, but it needs space (it gets wide).[1]
American Pillar ('') : A fantastic narrow option that grows over 3 feet per year while maintaining a tight, slender footprint for smaller yards or side borders.[1]
Yes—arborvitae can be an excellent choice for an evergreen privacy screen, especially if your priority is getting substantial height relatively quickly. The key is choosing the right cultivar.
For a fast-growing screen, look at ‘Green Giant’
Thuja ‘Green Giant’ is one of the faster-growing arborvitae, commonly putting on about 3–4 feet per year once established under good conditions. It can eventually reach roughly 40–60 feet tall and 12–18 feet wide, so it needs considerably more room than a typical shrub.
Yes, arborvitae (species of Thuja ) are practically the gold standard for fast-growing evergreen privacy screens . They are dense, relatively low-maintenance, and look like a lush green wall year-round.[1][2][3]
However, picking the variety makes all the difference depending on your yard size and climate.
Yes—arborvitae are one of the better choices for an evergreen privacy screen, especially if you want something dense and relatively fast-growing. The key is choosing the right variety for your available space.
Green Giant arborvitae is the speed champion. In good conditions it can add roughly 3–4 feet per year, but it eventually becomes a very large tree—around 40–60 feet tall and 12–18 feet wide.
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Whatever you choose, good drainage and deep watering during establishment are important. Arborvitae generally don't like staying waterlogged, while new plants need consistent moisture to develop roots.
If your goal is fast privacy in North Texas
I'd compare Green Giant arborvitae vs. wax myrtle vs. Nellie R. Stevens holly vs. eastern red cedar before buying a whole row. Texas A&M's Earth-Kind plant database is also useful because it evaluates plants for regional heat, drought, pest, and soil tolerance.
If you tell me how much sun the area gets, the approximate length/width of the planting strip, and how tall you want the screen, I can narrow it down to a few good options for your yard.
Yes, arborvitae (Thuja ) are among the most popular choices for evergreen privacy screens, but whether they are "fast-growing" and "good" depends heavily on the specific variety you choose and your local wildlife.
The Pros: Why They’re Popular
Year-Round Coverage: They keep their dense, lush green foliage 365 days a year.
Natural Shape: Most varieties grow in a tight, vertical pyramid or column that requires little to no pruning to look neat.
Space-Saving: Unlike spreading broadleaf shrubs, they grow upward rather than outward, making them ideal for tight property lines.[2][3]
Popular Varieties & Growth Rates
Thuja 'Green Giant': The ultimate speed demon. It can sprint skyward by 3 to 5 ft per year once established and reaches an impressive 30–50 ft tall. Great for big yards and fast privacy.[1]
'American Pillar': A narrower, rapid grower adding up to 3 ft per year, perfect for tight linear spaces.[1]
'Emerald Green': A suburban favorite that stays a manageable 10–15 ft tall, but it has a much slower, more moderate growth rate than the Green Giant.
The Cons & Challenges to Keep in Mind
Deer Love Them: If you have a high deer population in your area, arborvitae can act as an expensive winter snack. Hungry deer will strip the lower branches bare.
Snow and Ice Damage: Heavy wet snow can bend or split the multi-leader tops of taller varieties.
Not Indestructible: They need decent drainage; they hate sitting in waterlogged, soggy soil.[1]
You can look at options like the Thuja Green Giant on Trees.com or the classic Emerald Green Arborvitae on Fast Growing Trees if you want to compare sizes.[1][2]
To help narrow down if they're right for your yard, tell me:
How tall do you need your privacy screen to be?
Do you have issues with deer in your neighborhood?
Yes, arborvitae (Thuja ) are widely considered one of the absolute best and most popular choices for evergreen privacy screens . They are coniferous evergreens that provide year-round dense foliage, handle shearing and shaping exceptionally well, and naturally grow in tight, upright, pyramidal forms.[2][3][4]
However, "fast-growing" depends entirely on the specific variety you choose. Not all arborvitaes grow at the same speed or reach the same final size.
Popular Choices for Privacy
Thuja 'Green Giant' : This is the gold standard if you need speed and height. It is an explosive grower that can add 3 to 5 feet of growth per year once established, eventually maturing into a large tree around 30 to 50 feet tall and 12 to 20 feet wide. It’s resilient, adapts to most soils, and has good deer resistance. You can browse options like the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant or order packs from Trees.com Thuja Green Giant.[2][3]
'American Pillar' (Thuja occidentalis) : A fantastic choice if you have a narrower yard. It grows rapidly (up to 3 feet per year) but maintains a tight, slender profile (20 feet tall by only about 5 feet wide), making it ideal for tight property lines. You can find options such as the Great Garden Plants 'American Pillar' Arborvitae.[1]
'Emerald Green' (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd') : This is a classic choice for smaller yards or formal borders, maintaining a vivid emerald color all year. However, it is much slower growing (adding about 6 to 12 inches per year) and matures around 10 to 15 feet tall. If you want an immediate impact, you'll need to buy larger starter sizes.
Pros and Cons to Keep in Mind
Pros : Dense year-round coverage, relatively low maintenance once established, narrower footprints than standard shade trees, and great at blocking wind and noise.[1][2][3]
Cons : Fast-growing varieties like 'Green Giant ' can outgrow a small space if not given enough room. They can also suffer heavy branch breakage or lean under the weight of heavy wet snow or ice storms (though Green Giants bounce back better than smaller cultivars), and they are a favorite winter snack for hungry deer in certain regions.
To help narrow down the best fit for your yard, let me know:
Roughly how tall do you need the privacy screen to be?
How much space (width-wise) do you have along the property line?
What USDA hardiness zone or region are you located in?
The catch is its eventual size: roughly 40–60 feet tall and 12–18 feet wide. So it's fantastic for a property-line screen if you have room, but potentially overwhelming in a narrow side yard.
What about Emerald Green?
‘Emerald Green’ is much narrower and better suited to smaller spaces, but it's considerably slower—roughly 6–12 inches of growth per year once established, depending on conditions. It typically reaches around 12–15 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide.
Variety
Growth
Approx. mature size
Best use
Green Giant
~3–4 ft/yr
40–60' × 12–18'
Fast, tall privacy screen
Emerald Green
~0.5–1 ft/yr
~12–15' × 3–4'
Narrow hedge/smaller yard
Since you're in a warm, humid Gulf Coast climate, I'd pay particular attention to drainage and summer heat. Green Giant is documented as a good southeastern choice, but it still prefers moist, well-drained soil; poorly drained soil can lead to root problems.
Bottom line: If you have enough room, I'd seriously consider Green Giant for fast privacy. If your planting strip is narrow, Emerald Green is easier to keep within bounds, but you'll wait longer for a substantial screen.
If you tell me how tall you want the privacy screen, how much space you have between the property line/fence and other plants or structures, and whether it's full sun, I can suggest the appropriate arborvitae spacing—and a few alternatives that may work even better in your climate.
They offer dense, year-round foliage, handle tight spaces well, and require very little maintenance once established. However, growth rates and mature sizes vary dramatically depending on the specific cultivar you choose.[1][2]
Popular Fast-Growing Varieties
Thuja Green Giant : This hybrid is famous for sprinting skyward, adding 3 to 5 feet of growth per year under ideal conditions and maturing into a large, dense tree (40–50 feet tall).
American Pillar : A narrow, space-saving choice that grows up to 3 feet per year, making it ideal for tight side-yards or long property lines without sprawling into a massive footprint.
Emerald Green Arborvitae : A classic, compact suburban choice that stays neat and tidy at around 8–12 feet tall , though its growth rate is more moderate (about 9–12 inches per year) compared to the Green Giant.[2][3][4]
Important Considerations and Trade-offs
Deer Grazing : Arborvitae are a favorite winter food source for deer. If your area has a high deer population, they may heavily browse the lower branches unless protected with netting or repellent.
Spacing : Proper spacing is critical to achieve a solid barrier. Large varieties like the Green Giant need about 5 to 7 feet between trunks, while narrower varieties can be spaced closer together (2.5 to 3 feet apart).[1]
Moisture Needs : They require consistent watering during their first one to two years to establish deep root systems, though mature plants tolerate brief dry spells reasonably well.[1][2]
If you can share your USDA hardiness zone or approximate available width along your fence line , I can recommend the exact arborvitae variety and spacing strategy for your yard.
American/Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) grows more moderately—Oklahoma State classifies it at about 1–2 feet per year—but it has numerous cultivars suited to hedges and screens.
Emerald Green is narrower and more manageable for a smaller yard, but it's considerably slower and still needs good drainage and consistent moisture.
The big caveat
Arborvitae aren't especially carefree in hot, dry conditions. They do best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and adequate moisture. Oklahoma State notes that Eastern arborvitae can tolerate heat and drought once established, but they are susceptible to strong winds; newly planted plants are particularly vulnerable to drought stress.
If you have enough room, Green Giant is worth considering for a fast privacy screen. Just don't plant it like a small hedge and expect it to stay small—it gets enormous. Oklahoma State specifically notes that ‘Green Giant’ has potential in Oklahoma.
If you tell me roughly how tall/wide you want the privacy screen and how much sun the planting area gets, I can suggest a few arborvitae cultivars and alternatives that may handle your conditions better.
Emerald Green ('Smaragd') : Very popular and tidy, but much slower (growing about 6 to 12 inches a year) topping out around 10 to 15 feet. Choose this if you want low-maintenance and tight uniformity without massive height, but skip it if you need a quick screen.[1]
The Pros of Arborvitae
Dense, Year-Round Coverage : Their flat sprays of evergreen foliage create a solid, opaque visual and acoustic screen against neighbors or streets.
Natural Shape : They naturally grow in a neat pyramidal or columnar form, meaning virtually no pruning or shaping is required.
Space-Saving : Compared to spreading shade trees, many cultivars have a narrow footprint that hugs property lines tightly.[1][2]
The Cons & Challenges to Keep in Mind
Deer Love Them : If you have a high deer population in your area, arborvitae are basically an all-you-can-eat winter buffet. They can be severely browsed from the bottom up.
Weather Vulnerability : Heavy wet snow or ice storms can cause tall, narrow varieties to bend, split, or develop multiple leaders that snap open under weight.
Monotony : Because they are so common, some landscapers find a straight monoculture row of them a bit utilitarian or overused.
Gardener Perspectives
Many people turn to arborvitae for screening and privacy for a variety of reasons, and some of these are good. For instance, they grow quickly, giving you a tall screen in just a few years.
They will quickly brown in a drought and poorly tolerate dry winds and salt. The typical response to stress is to brown and drop needles, sometimes permanently.
To help figure out if arborvitaes are the right fit, let me know:
How tall do you need the privacy screen to be?
How much width/space do you have along the property line?
Do you have heavy deer pressure in your neighborhood?
✂️ Little pruning is needed if you have room for its natural shape
🦌 ‘Green Giant’ generally has better deer resistance than many other arborvitae, although no arborvitae is completely deer-proof.
The big catch: they get big
This is the mistake I'd most want to avoid. A row that looks appropriately spaced when the plants are 5–6 feet tall can eventually become a very substantial wall of trees. ‘Green Giant’ is commonly recommended at roughly 5–6 feet apart for a screen, but its eventual width needs to be considered when planning the planting area.
If you have a narrow planting bed, ‘Emerald Green’ or another narrower cultivar may make more sense. One Extension recommendation, for example, specifically preferred Emerald Green over Green Giant for an area only about 3 feet deep.
One other consideration: arborvitae don't reliably regrow from old, bare wood. So if you intend to maintain a very short, tightly clipped hedge, you shouldn't repeatedly cut deeply into the brown interior.
Bottom line: If you have adequate space and want a tall, relatively fast privacy screen, I'd put ‘Green Giant’ high on the list. If you tell me roughly how long the privacy screen needs to be, how much depth you have, and whether you're aiming for 6, 8, 10, or 15+ feet of privacy, I can suggest the appropriate arborvitae type and spacing.
Thuja 'Green Giant': The ultimate speed sprinter, growing 3 to 5 ft per year. It matures into a large tree (30–40 ft tall and 12–15 ft wide), making it ideal for big yards.[2]
Emerald Green (Smaragd): A classic, tighter, and much more compact option growing to about 12–15 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide . Perfect for narrow spaces or smaller suburban lots, though it grows a bit slower than the Green Giant.
American Pillar / Hetz Wintergreen: Excellent narrow choices that put on rapid vertical growth (2–3 ft per year) while keeping a slim footprint.[1][2]
The Pros
Fast Screening: They waste no time filling in gaps to block out neighbors or roads.
Low Maintenance: They naturally grow in a neat, symmetrical pyramid shape without requiring constant pruning.
Adaptable: They tolerate a wide range of soils and cold hardiness zones.[1][2][3]
The Cons & Things to Watch For
Deer Love Them: Depending on your local wildlife pressure, hungry deer may use your expensive arborvitaes as a winter buffet (Green Giants tend to have slightly better resistance than Emerald Greens , but no variety is completely proof).
Heavy Snow/Ice: Heavy, wet winter snow can bend or splay the tops of narrow varieties.
Spacing is Critical: If you plant them too far apart, you won't get a solid screen; too close, and they compete for resources. (For instance, you can buy options like the Thuja 'Green Giant ' at Trees.com or look into compact selections on Great Garden Plants).[1][2]
If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:
How tall do you need the privacy screen to be?
How much space (width) do you have along the property line?
Do you have a heavy deer population in your neighborhood?
I can recommend the exact variety and spacing that will work best for your yard.
Emerald Green arborvitae is much more compact, typically reaching about 12–15 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide. It can put on 1–2 feet annually when young, then slows to roughly 6–9 inches per year as it matures.
They do best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. They're evergreen and naturally dense, so they make an effective year-round screen.
Deer are the big caveat. Emerald Green/American arborvitae are particularly susceptible to browsing, while Green Giant generally fares better, though hungry deer can still damage it.
What I'd choose
If you have plenty of room and want privacy as quickly as possible, I'd lean toward Green Giant.
If you're working with a typical suburban yard where you don't want 50-foot trees, Emerald Green is usually the safer choice. Extension guidance puts Emerald Green at roughly 3–4 feet apart for a screen, depending on the desired density and eventual size.
If you tell me roughly how long the privacy screen needs to be, how tall you want it, and whether you get full sun, I can suggest the best arborvitae variety and spacing—and a couple of alternatives that may outperform arborvitae in your situation.
