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The Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' is a comparatively slow-growing woody plant. In contrast to other thujas, this one has a slender, cone-shaped, very dense and strongly branched habit. It is absolutely opaque even without a cut. As a result, it is just as suitable for creating a visual, noise or wind protection hedge as for a solitary position. Also as a background plant it sets high-contrast accents. The foundation stone for optimal growth is laid as early as the planting stage.
Plant Thuja Smaragd
Before you can plant, you need to find the right location. This can be sunny or partially shaded, with the intensive green coloration coming into its own in a sunny spot. In complete shade, on the other hand, the color of the leaves can suffer. Locations with frequent cold winds should also be avoided if possible.
In addition to a sunny location, the Thuja Smaragd needs loose, slightly humus-rich, moist but not too wet and only minimally acidic soil. It should be able to store water well. On permanently dry soil, the needles would soon turn brown.
Prepare planting area
Planting one or more thujas requires some preparation. This applies in particular to the soil in the planting area.
- Thoroughly loosen the soil
- Remove all weeds, root debris, stones, etc
- Depending on the nature of the soil, work in some fertilizer
- Preferably some mature manure, compost or horn shavings
- Make heavy clay soil more permeable by adding sand
- Improve soil that is too moist by installing drainage
- When planting a hedge, first mark the course
- Mark out the area with stakes and string
- Cord should serve as a guide
- Must be absolutely level
- Then dig planting holes or a continuous trench
- Loosen the bottom of the ditch or hole well
tip: When dealing with the tree of life, one should consider that the thuja is highly poisonous for humans and animals.
Planting Thuja Smaragd - instructions
- Plant with sufficient distance in the prepared planting holes
- Always plant bare roots immediately after purchase
- Remove container goods from the pot and insert
- Just as deep in the ground as they were in the pot before
- Root balls of so-called bale goods wrapped in a bale cloth or net
- Open both, strip down about a third or cut several times
- Should prevent it from growing into the root
- Material decomposes in the earth over time
- After planting the plants, fill up the planting pit with soil
- Then carefully tread down the earth
- In the last step, water the whole thing well
- It is best to wash in the root area
- After washing in, cover with a layer of bark mulch
- Mulch prevents the soil from drying out too much
- Maintain regular watering for the following months as well
tip: So that no cavities form between the roots, it makes sense when filling the planting holes, especially of bare-rooted specimens, to shake them slightly again and again. A watering rim, which is placed around the plants, prevents water from running off.
planting distance
Of course, the best possible site conditions are of no use if you don't pay attention to sufficient planting distance, both among each other, e.g. in a hedge, and to other plants, paths, streets and neighboring properties. Even if the Thuja Smaragd does not want to grow properly, this can be due to the small distances, although it remains comparatively narrow with a growth width of 0.5 to 0.8 m after about ten years. But how much space should you leave between plants?
Within hedges and in solitary position
The distance between the thuja plants within a hedge should be about 60-80 cm. You calculate two to two and a half plants per meter. If you want to achieve good opacity as quickly as possible, you can choose a smaller distance. However, the smaller the planting distance, the more complex the maintenance effort.
Too dense planting also does not allow the air to circulate properly and prevents sufficient sunlight from reaching the lower parts of the tree. As a result, the branches turn brown and bare. In addition, there is competition with each other for the supply of nutrients. This is less of a problem in a solitary or solitary position, here a distance of approx. 100 cm to neighboring plants is recommended.
Too busy roads
Arborvitae are flat-rooted, i.e. their roots run just below the surface of the earth. It can happen that they lift and damage sidewalk or terrace slabs, paving stones and even road surfaces if the distance to the Thuja is too small. In order to avoid damage to paths and terraces, the Thuja Smaragd should be planted at a distance that corresponds approximately to the later tree height.
It is a bit more difficult on busy roads, because the tree of life is very sensitive to road salt, dirty spray water and exhaust fumes. It is best to avoid the thuja in the immediate vicinity of a road and opt for another, more suitable type of hedge plants.
to neighboring properties
Border planting is always a sensitive issue and can quickly lead to disputes between neighbors that could actually be easily avoided. In addition, a sufficiently large distance can also make caring for the plants much easier. Corresponding regulations in this regard are anchored in the neighborhood law of the individual federal states and are regulated by the responsible municipalities. In most cases, a distance of 100 cm to the neighboring property is sufficient for hedges with a height of more than 200 cm. In general, they depend on the final height and width of the respective tree.
tip: Anyone who is unsure about compliance with the planting distances to neighboring properties can obtain information from the responsible authority.
planting time
- In principle, Thuja Smaragd can be planted all year round
- Provided the ground is frost-free and there is no other frost
- The best planting time is in spring
- Especially in the months of April and May
- Rooting is best at this time of year
- If the right time was missed, planting is also possible in early autumn
- Should be completed by early October at the latest
- Plants should have time to grow before the first frost sets in
But not only the season is decisive, but also the weather on and after the planting day. So you should wait with the planting if frost is expected, as well as during a longer rainy period and in high heat.
tip: When planting in autumn, it is advisable to protect the sensitive root area from frost with a thick layer of mulch afterwards. The aerial parts of young plants need protection from intense sunlight.
Avoid transplanting if possible
The choice of location for the Thuja Smaragd should be well thought out, because she does not like transplanting at all. If the plants are still relatively young, they can still be transplanted if necessary. It is not advisable to do this with older specimens, which usually grow very poorly or not at all and, in the worst case, die. This is mainly due to the pronounced root system that can hardly be dug up without major damage. If it still cannot be avoided, spring is the best time here too. You should make sure that the new planting hole is large enough for the roots to develop well.
Depending on the size of the plant, dig up the soil up to a meter around the trunk and expose this area as much as possible. With a digging fork you try to lift the bale and pull the thuja out of the ground without damaging the roots too much. Once the plant is in the new location, it is important to water it thoroughly every day for several weeks, depending on the weather.
tip: If the plants have to withstand a longer transport after being dug up, it is important to protect the root ball from drying out. You can do this by wrapping it in damp burlap with sufficient soil and replanting it as soon as possible.
