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The Beauty and Benefits of Arborvitaes: Ideal Trees for Privacy at Home

 
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Discover the different varieties of arborvitaes and their uses.

arborvitae

Arborvitaes are evergreen trees that belong to the cypress family. They are native to North America and Asia and are known for their versatility and hardiness. Arborvitaes come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, making them ideal for various landscaping and gardening applications. In this article, we'll focus on two popular arborvitae varieties: Steeplechase Arborvitae and Green Giant Arborvitae.

Since I became a landscape designer, I have used many arborvitaes in many different applications. This species of plant has many colors, shapes, and sizes that make them perfect for borders, screens, hedges, and even specimen trees. Arborvitaes are also great for creating privacy screens around homes and gardens. They are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and can tolerate a wide range of soil and climatic conditions.

Steeplechase Arborvitae is one of the most popular varieties of arborvitae. It is a narrow, upright tree that can grow up to 20 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It has dense, dark green foliage that becomes bronze in winter. Steeplechase Arborvitae is ideal for creating tall hedges and screens to block out unwanted views, noise, and wind. It is also a great accent tree for smaller gardens and landscapes.

Green Giant Arborvitae is another popular variety of arborvitae. It is a fast-growing tree that can reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It has bright green foliage that turns bronze in winter. Green Giant Arborvitae is ideal for creating large screens and hedges that can provide privacy and shade to large properties. It is also a great tree for windbreaks and erosion control.

Fierce winter weather has taken a toll on the Detroit area landscape, tearing off trees limbs and squashing bushes like arborvitaes. However, arborvitaes are generally hardy and can withstand harsh winters, droughts, and pests. They are also resistant to deer browsing, making them ideal for rural and suburban areas.

Arborvitaes are easy to grow and maintain. They prefer well-drained soils but can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. They also prefer full sun to partial shade exposure and require regular watering during the first year of growth. Once established, arborvitaes can tolerate drought and require minimal pruning and fertilization.

My suburban neighborhood is home to a 12-foot-tall arborvitae shaped like a circumcised penis. Frankly, it's the most exciting thing to happen around here in years. However, most arborvitae varieties have a more traditional and elegant shape. They can be pruned into different shapes, including cones, pyramids, spirals, and globes. They can also be used as a backdrop for other plants, such as flowering shrubs, perennials, and annuals.

Q: Our son in the Twin Cities planted arborvitae last summer, watered them well, gave them good care, and they looked great in the fall. However, the needles are turning brown, and some of the branches are dying. What could be causing this?

A: Arborvitaes can be susceptible to fungal diseases, such as Cercospora blight and Phomopsis blight, which can cause browning and dieback of needles and branches. These diseases are often caused by wet and humid conditions, poor air circulation, and overcrowding of plants. To prevent these diseases, avoid watering the foliage, prune diseased branches, and space the plants properly.

A superb new conifer with bright yellow-gold new foliage that matures to chartreuse, creating a striking color contrast. The real drama arrives in winter when the foliage turns a rich orange-gold. This is a great accent plant for mixed borders, rock gardens, and Japanese-style gardens.

Emerald green arborvitae and Leyland cypress are popular privacy trees, but there are some big differences between the two. Emerald green arborvitae is a slow-growing evergreen with a narrow, pyramidal shape that reaches up to 15 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It has bright green foliage that turns bronze in winter. Leyland cypress is a fast-growing evergreen with a conical shape that can reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It has blue-green foliage that turns brown in winter. While both trees are great for creating privacy screens, emerald green arborvitae is better suited for smaller landscapes and requires less maintenance than Leyland cypress.

If you want to keep prying eyes out of your yard but don't want to—or can't—install a fence, surround your property with these best trees for privacy. Arborvitaes are among the best trees for creating privacy screens that can block out unwanted views, noise, and wind. They are also great for attracting birds and wildlife to your garden.

ARBOR VITAE - One person died in a snowmobile accident Sunday in Arbor Vitae. Just after 7 p.m., the Vilas County 911 center received a call reporting a snowmobile accident on private property off...

In conclusion, arborvitaes are versatile, hardy, and beautiful trees that can enhance any landscape or garden. They are ideal for creating privacy screens, hedges, borders, and specimen trees. Steeplechase Arborvitae and Green Giant Arborvitae are two popular varieties that can provide privacy and shade to homes and gardens. With proper care and maintenance, arborvitaes can thrive in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions and provide long-lasting benefits to homeowners and gardeners.

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