Choose Emerald Petite® Arborvitae when you want the Emerald Green look in a much tighter space; the tradeoff is patience and limited screening, because it grows slowly and stays more ornamental than privacy-focused.
Buy This If
You want a narrow evergreen accent.
You like shape without much pruning.
Your planting bed is tight.
Skip This If
You need privacy soon.
Deer browse is constant and unmanaged.
You want a broad, full hedge.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
B
It gives a clean vertical accent, but it is too small to carry a large landscape by itself.
Growth Rate
C
Slow growth keeps it tidy, but it will not satisfy anyone wanting quick results.
Maintenance
A-
It usually needs little pruning beyond correcting stray tips and keeping it watered while establishing.
Deer Resistance
D
As an Emerald Green type arborvitae, it is vulnerable where deer feed heavily unless protected.
Small Space Fit
A
Its tight upright habit is the main reason to buy it for narrow beds, entries, and containers.
Screening Value
C-
It can make a low, tidy screen, but it is not the plant for fast or tall privacy.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Emerald Petite® Arborvitae as an accent first and a screen second. Keep the root zone evenly watered while it settles in, and protect it if deer regularly feed near the house.
Plant Facts
Botanical Name
Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Petite'
Common Name
Emerald Petite® Arborvitae
Mature Height
4-6 ft
Mature Width
1-2 ft
Hardiness Zones
3a-8b
Spacing
2-3 ft
Sun
Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture
Average to moist
Growth Habit
Dwarf, narrow, pyramidal
Evergreen
Yes
Native
Yes (species native to New England/eastern US)
Customers Usually Ask
Can I use it instead of Emerald Green?
Yes for small accents or a short row; choose Emerald Green Arborvitae for taller privacy.
Does it need shearing?
No regular shearing is needed; just trim stray growth if you want a tighter outline.
Will deer eat it?
They can, especially in winter, so use protection where deer pressure is high.
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.
Amy Martin
Progrowers was a great company to purchase from. Very fast delivery to my house. The tree seems to be in great condition and is so far doing really well!
Scarlet Fire® Flowering Dogwood
Anthony scavo
Great job. Very fast, efficient, clean work. Would recommend to everyone
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Anonymous
Came on time, planted the trees exactly where I wanted. Cleaned up after the work was done.
Installation Service ($30)
Josh Wagner
The guys showed up on time, did a nice install and cleaned up after themselves.
Found this company on GOOGLE, and so glad I did!
I needed trees asap, to create a fence from neighbors. None of the local nurseries had any stock for the Green Giant Arborvitae’s.
Only a 30 min ride, and we were met with the kindest folks and the BEST selection of trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials.
Don’t even bother with the Big Box stores, (if they have them, they are usually half dead) when you can get them bigger and HEALTHIER at Pro Growers. A N D local delivery is readily available!
WHY go anywhere else!
Progrowers was a great company to purchase from. Very fast delivery to my house. The tree seems to be in great condition and is so far doing really well!
