How to Plant Yours? A Simple Guide to Thuja Trees

Thuja trees are very popular plants that grow in many gardens. They can be used as windscreens, thick hedges and shrubs. The Thuja is an evergreen plant, resistant to pollution and heat. It grows quite fast and is quite resistant. If you are designing your own garden, you should consider choosing such a plant, for example the green giant thuja. You need to learn how to care for the thuja, so that it is always beautiful and healthy.

Thuja trees - universal plants

The thuja, or arborvitae is a coniferous tree native to Asia and North America. Due to the versatility of these trees, they are used throughout the world as garden plants. They can be planted in groups as well as a single individual plant. The Thuja has many varieties that can be useful for various conditions. The wide range of options that these plants offer is the main reason for their popularity among gardeners. Thuja occidentalis L. is a very popular variety.

Many types of thuja trees are exceptionally hardy in any condition. They are easy to care for and most species are evergreen. A thuja tree can grow in a pot, so it can grow not only in the garden, but also on a balcony, terrace or patio. Any shorter variety can be used as a shrub, for example in a rock garden.

Thuja trees are not very complicated to care for. However, one must learn some basic facts, for example, when to plant a thuja, which type is best for a shrub, and how to care for specific varieties, such as the green giant thuja.

What kind of thuja should I choose?

There are several types of arborvitaes, and each of them differs by its specific requirements. Before choosing a specific plant, consider which one suits your needs. It may be impossible to plant one of the types in your garden, as it will not have the right conditions to grow. When choosing a thuja tree, pay attention to all the details.

The most common types of thuja are:

• Eastern arborvitae - also known as thuja occidentalis. These types of plants prefer alkaline and high pH soils. Most varieties are frost hardy and immune to contamination, however they must be protected from wind chill and drought. This type of thuja grows well in sunny locations, however some varieties prefer shade. When buying such a shrub it is good to learn about its individual needs, for example when it is best to plant the thuja.

• Giant arborvitae - the most popular variety of this type is the giant green thuja. Its needles are dark green. The tree can grow very tall, however there are also smaller shrub varieties. Young seedlings are vulnerable to cold temperatures, so they should be planted in warm, sunny locations. Giant thuja is more resistant to drought than the eastern type.

• The Chinese thuja, also called oriental arborvitae. This type is native to Asia. Because it is very vulnerable to cold temperatures, it is rarely chosen for colder regions. This type of shrub grows quite well in warm areas. It requires warm and sunny places. Its advantages are its high resistance to drought and its good tolerance to different types of soil.

The best shrub for building hedges is the eastern thuja. It doesn't grow too fast, about 30 centimeters a year. It develops few cones and has a fairly regular shape. An eastern thuja, on the other hand, will not form a very tall bush (reaches around 1 meter), making it perfect for a rock garden.

Planning a composition, it is better to choose plants of various sizes and shapes. You have to take into account the conditions of your own garden, as well as the type of soil where yours will grow. If you're wondering if you can plant the giant green thuja or use an oriental thuja as a shrub, it's best to ask the salesperson at the flower shop.

Thuja tree - how to pick the best seedlings

When buying a thuja, pay special attention to the state of the seedlings. Do not buy those that are wilted or damaged, with broken roots or eaten by vermin.

The best thuja for a shrub is the short variety, planted in a container. These plants are more expensive, however they have a better chance of surviving in a new environment. When buying a tree, take a close look at the bottom of the pot:

• If the roots break through, the plant has not been watered for a long time.

• Do not buy a thuja if you have noticed that some roots have been cut. It means that the plant has not been grown in the pot, but has been planted recently.

If you decide to choose a plant in the form of a ball and burlap, pay close attention to the roots. The soil around them should be dense and not too dry. Do not buy trees whose root volume is disproportionately small relative to the volume of the rest of the plant. Such thujas are very likely to wilt after planting in your garden.

When to plant yours?

Thuja trees that have been grown in containers can be planted year-round from early spring (mid-May) to late fall. The best time to plant a thuja is in early spring and late summer. Planted in spring, a shrub has time to acclimate and prepare for heat waves in summer. Conversely, if the thuja is planted in August or September, it will have time to prepare for winter. Plant your bush no later than six weeks before the first frost. Otherwise, the plant may not take root.

Pasted and speared thuja should be planted in May or from mid-August to mid-September. Plant immediately after purchase, before the roots dry out.

Thuja tree - how to plant the bush?

The soil in which the bush will grow must be fertile, loose and moist. Barren, dry soils will cause the plants to wilt and their needles to turn brown. You have to pay attention to the needs of the particular types of thuja, each variety needs a different soil. You can also purchase a potting mix made specifically for conifers. You can also mix composted pine bark with peat moss.

The planting site must be prepared accordingly. Get rid of all weeds within a radius of 30 to 40 cm. For a hedge, weed a strip of land 60 cm wide. Dig one hole or multiple holes - they should be 2-3 times as long and as wide as your thuja's root ball.

How far apart to plant thuja trees?

If you want a dense hedge, plant your thuja trees every 60cm. If you plant them every 80 cm, they will form a row of trees. Make sure you keep a distance from the fence (around 50-60 cm). This will allow the plants to grow freely. The green giant of thuja will form a tall hedge that is a very useful decoration for any garden. Protects your home from noise, wind and pollution.

Fill the holes about halfway with the soil mix (either store-bought or your own). So all you need to do is:

• Stand the plant upright and cover the roots with soil.

• Fill the hole with water and once it soaks into the soil, fill it in with soil.

• Smooth the surface and water the plant again.

You can put aluminum foil and tree bark on top of the soil - this will prevent the water from evaporating.

How to care for thuja trees?

You should take good care of your newly planted thuja trees, so that they grow well and do not wither. Young thuja trees do not have roots long enough to draw water from deeper ground. For this reason you need to take care of them properly. During the first weeks the plants must be watered regularly, in the morning or in the afternoon. If your shrub is exposed to heat waves and droughts, mist its needles with water. Do it before sunrise or after sunset, so the sun doesn't burn the plant. In case of strong winds, drive bamboo stakes or wooden sticks into the tallest plants.

What should be taken into account when planting yours?

If you decide to plant yours, it is worth purchasing a mycorrhizal inoculant and applying it as soon as you plant the trees. This procedure makes it easier for plants to extract water and nutrients from the soil. It saves a lot of time and money spent on plants later. One should start feeding the plants in spring and finish in the middle of July. All-purpose fertilizer can be used, as well as plant foods made specifically for conifers. From August to September you can use a special autumn fertilizer, which is low in nitrogen.

You can prepare your bush from spring to mid-summer. It is especially important for hedges. The last pruning should be done in August so that the branches do not die during the first frosts.

Are yours problem plants?

Thuja trees are usually not difficult to care for. For this reason gardeners choose this type of shrub for their gardens. The giant green Thuja trees are perfect for hedges, but also for compositions. You need to take care of your thuja as soon as possible so that it grows well and looks good for a long time.

Do you want your garden to look exceptional? Choose other ornamental shrubs that will transform the garden. Use a fancy looking yucca or plant a dogwood tree - you can make liqueurs or preserves from its fruits. If you are looking for a truly original plant to combine with yours, choose pampas grass.

Thuja - little-known properties

Thuja trees enhance the aesthetics of a garden. But this is not the only reason why these shrubs are so popular. In some cases, thuja trees are planted to harvest a special oil that offers many health benefits. This substance should be used with great caution and always diluted.

ATTENTION! Thuja essential oil should not be used by pregnant women. It could cause serious health problems and lead to miscarriage.

What are the health benefits of thuja, or rather the oil made from it? It is beneficial for those who have problems with:

• infections - of the lungs, bronchi and respiratory tract,

• the skin - various rashes and other diseases.

Some experts claim that thuja tree oil can be used by those who suffer from neuroses or depression. In this case, be sure to do it under the supervision of a specialist, since each person reacts differently to this substance.

When to plant the giant green thuja?

The best time to plant thuja trees is between early spring and late fall. The only exception is ball and burlap plants, the last time they can be planted is mid-August. Do not plant your trees later than 6 weeks before they freeze.

How to plant the green giant thuja?

Thuja trees should be planted in holes at least 2 times the size of the root ball. The bottom of the hole should be covered with coniferous soil. Plant the trees vertically and water them afterwards.

Where to buy the thuja tree?

Thuja trees can be purchased at any flower shop. You can also purchase the shrub online or find a nursery in your area.

How fast do thuja green giants grow?

The green giant Thuja can grow around 1 meter per year. At this rate, a small bush grows into a tree very quickly. Due to its rapid growth, the green giant Thuja is perfect for planting a dense hedge.