Choose Emerald Green Arborvitae if you want a tight, formal evergreen screen in a narrow bed. The main tradeoff: it is slower and more deer-vulnerable than larger arborvitae, so it is not our first pick for fast privacy or heavy deer areas.
Buy This If
You want a tight evergreen hedge.
You can wait for coverage.
You prefer a neat, upright shape.
Your screening line runs through damp ground.
Skip This If
Deer browse your yard often.
You need fast height.
The soil stays dry.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
B+
It gives a clean, structured evergreen look, but it reads more like a hedge than a standout specimen.
Growth Rate
B-
It fills in steadily, but it will not give quick privacy compared with faster arborvitae options.
Maintenance
A-
Its naturally tight shape usually needs little trimming unless you want a very formal line.
Deer Resistance
D
This is not the arborvitae we would steer toward where deer feeding is common.
Small Space Fit
A
Its narrow, upright habit works well where wider screening plants would crowd walks, beds, or driveways.
Screening Value
B+
It makes a dense, tidy screen, but patience is required before it gives full privacy.
Wet Site Tolerance
A-
Northern white cedar is a wetland species by nature, so it handles a damp or seasonally wet screening line better than nearly any other evergreen.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Emerald Green Arborvitae for homeowners who want a neat evergreen wall and are willing to water properly while it establishes. For deer-heavy sites, we would usually point you elsewhere. Where it quietly beats the competition is the wet back corner of a lot: spruce and most junipers sulk or rot in that ground, and arborvitae does not.
FACW (Facultative Wetland) for the species Thuja occidentalis — usually occurs in wetlands. Source: USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List, Northcentral & Northeast region.
Customers Usually Ask
Will it make a privacy hedge?
Yes, if planted as a row and given time to fill in.
Will it handle a wet spot in the yard?
Better than most evergreens. Northern white cedar is rated FACW — in the wild it dominates cedar swamps. It handles a high water table and seasonally soggy ground where spruce and juniper would decline. What it will not take is stagnant water sitting in compacted clay with no movement, and it is genuinely sensitive to drought, so do not treat it as a tough-and-dry plant.
Can I use it in a shoreland buffer planting?
Yes, and it is one of the few evergreens that gives you screening and buffer function at once. Note that some permitted plans call for straight species rather than named selections like 'Smaragd' — check your plan set.
Does it need shearing?
Usually no, unless you want a clipped, formal hedge.
Is it safe from deer?
No; deer can browse it, especially in winter.
Why Choose Arborvitaes for Privacy & Year-Round Coverage?
Arborvitaes are the gold standard for privacy screens and evergreen structure in New England landscapes. Known for their dense foliage, year-round color, and cold hardiness, these fast-growing evergreens create natural boundaries, wind protection.
Fast, Dense Privacy: Quick-growing varieties fill in efficiently to create natural screening from neighbors or roads.
Year-Round Evergreen Color: Maintain consistent greenery through winter when other plants go dormant.
Cold Hardy & Reliable: Built to withstand northern climates, arborvitaes provide dependable long-term structure.
Why Choose Pro Growers of New England for Arborvitaes?
At Pro Growers of New England, our arborvitaes are grown and maintained locally for real New England conditions — not boxed up and shipped across the country. Every plant is carefully selected, properly spaced, and allowed to develop strong root systems before ever leaving the nursery.
Unlike large online sellers, you’re welcome to visit our nursery in person, walk the rows, inspect the exact plants available, and see firsthand how they’re grown. That means no surprises, no guessing, and no damaged plants from long-distance transit.
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Growzone Finder
It helps us recommend plants that are best for your local climate, based on your growing zone. Also, because we ship plants based on when they are best for your local climate, it allows us to give you a more accurate estimate of when your order will ship.
I had a great experience with Pro Growers of New England. When I was looking to purchase a couple of trees for my yard, I came across them while searching for places nearby. Buying plants online can be a little intimidating because there are so many variables, but they were only about 10 minutes away, so I decided to stop by.
All of the plants were really well cared for, they had a great irrigation setup to keep everything watered, and the selection was enormous. I ended up placing an order online, and they picked out a couple of beautiful trees for me. I had a last-minute change in the tree I wanted, and when I called they were very accommodating.
The staff was friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. They helped me find everything I needed, answered my questions, and made the entire experience easy. I also had one tricky planting location with a big rock and a tough invasive vine, but they made it work and planted everything perfectly.
I wasn’t sure at first if I should have the trees professionally installed, but I’m so glad I did. They did an excellent job, and the whole experience was easy from start to finish. Thanks so much for the beautiful plants and the great service!
