Emerald Green Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' · Evergreen Coniferous Softwood
Plant Family
Cupressaceae
Tree Category
Evergreen Conifer, Hedge Tree, Privacy Screen, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
'Smaragd' (Emerald Green) - known for its vibrant emerald-green foliage that retains its color well through winter and its tight, narrow pyramidal habit.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 7. Highly cold-hardy and adapts well to various temperate climate conditions.
About This Tree
A dense, compact, narrow pyramidal evergreen tree with bright emerald-green foliage arranged in flattened spray patterns. Features a uniform columnar to pyramidal form, dense crown, and moderate growth rate, making it exceptionally popular for hedges and privacy screens.
Leaf Characteristics
Scale-like leaves arranged in flat, fan-like sprays along the branchlets. Bright emerald-green color that resists winter bronzing better than other cultivars. Soft texture with a pleasant, fresh cedar-like scent when crushed.
Bark Characteristics
Reddish-brown to grayish-brown bark that is thin and fibrous, exfoliating in narrow, vertical strips on mature trunks.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern North America, with the specific cultivar 'Smaragd' developed in Denmark; widely adapted and planted throughout North America and Europe.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen foliage with peak active growth in spring and early summer. Produces small cones in late summer. Best planted in spring or early fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade (full sun yields the densest foliage). Requires regular, moderate watering during the establishment period, with moderate drought tolerance once established. Prefers moist, well-draining soils.
Mature Size
Reaches a mature height of 10 to 15 feet with a narrow spread of 3 to 4 feet. Slow to moderate growth rate, with a typical lifespan of several decades.
Special Characteristics
Excellent resistance to wind and heavy snow loads due to dense branching; highly tolerant of urban pollution, shearing, and pruning; retains vibrant green winter color without significant bronzing.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense nesting sites and year-round cover for small birds and mammals. Cones and seeds are occasionally consumed by small wildlife, and the dense branches offer critical winter shelter.