The most common frustration with landscaping is the agonizing wait—decades before a sapling casts meaningful shade or blocks a neighbor’s view. There is a category of tree that solves this problem by packing 2–3 feet of vertical growth into a single year while staying green through every season. These selections exchange the tortoise’s pace for a more decisive sprint.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years combing through nursery data sheets, USDA zone maps, soil composition studies, and aggregated owner feedback to identify which evergreen varieties deliver on their growth-rate promises without collapsing under their own weight.
Whether you are screening a property line or anchoring a windbreak, this guide cuts through the marketing to reveal the best fast growing evergreen trees that actually survive winter and hold their shape.
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Evergreen Trees
Evergreens that grow fast share a few genetic traits—they are usually conifers in the Thuja or Juniperus family that invest heavily in upward leaders. But speed alone is a trap if the root system is weak or the mature width exceeds your space. The three factors below determine whether your fast-growing tree becomes an asset or a headache.
Mature Size vs. Available Real Estate
A tree advertised as growing 3 feet per year sounds ideal until you realize it tops out at 50 feet tall with a 16-foot spread. Measure your planting strip, the height of overhead wires, and the distance to your house foundation. Arborvitae selections that hit 30–50 feet work well on large lots, while a vase-shaped Juniper staying under 6 feet suits tighter borders.
Root Establishment Before Top Growth
Every fast-growing evergreen spends its first year building roots underground, not height above ground. Buyers often panic when a tree shows zero vertical gain in year one. This is normal. The real test comes in year two and three—if the root system was allowed to establish via consistent deep watering, the foliage catch-up is dramatic. Choose potted or container-grown stock over bare root if you have heavy clay soil.
Deer Pressure and Soil Versatility
Nothing stops a fast-growing screen faster than deer browsing or wet feet. Thuja Plicata ‘Green Giant’ is famously deer-resistant, while Emerald Green Arborvitae may attract nibbling in rural zones. On the soil side, Junipers tolerate clay and road salt, making them better for roadside screens, whereas Thuja prefers well-drained loam. Match the tree’s tolerances to your specific environment before committing.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Plicata ‘Green Giant’ | Arborvitae | Privacy hedges up to 40+ ft | Grows 2-3 ft/yr, Hardy Zone 5-9 | Amazon |
| 10 Arborvitae Green Giant Thuja | Starters | Large-scale bulk planting | 10-pack 6-12″ starter pots | Amazon |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | Arborvitae | Narrow upright screening | Mature H 18-20 ft, Spread 5-6 ft | Amazon |
| Sea Green Juniper | Juniper | Low borders & vase-shaped screens | Mature H 4-6 ft, fountain-like habit | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant 15-Pack | Multi-pack | Cost-effective large privacy rows | 15 pots + 1 Gardenia starter | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Thuja Plicata ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae – 1 Quart
The Green Giant is the gold standard for fast-growing evergreens because it cranks out 2–3 feet per year once established while remaining pest-free and entirely unappealing to deer. This quart-size specimen arrives with well-developed roots after careful nursery cultivation. Buyers consistently report receiving plants that measure 20–24 inches at delivery—substantially taller than the 1-quart container would suggest.
What sets this cultivar apart is its tolerance for saturated soils that would drown most conifers. While it prefers deep well-drained loam, many owners have successfully planted it in clay-heavy spots that stay wet during spring thaws. The recommended spacing of 5–6 feet creates a solid opaque wall within 3–4 seasons, making it a top pick for anyone needing a living fence that also breaks winter wind.
Hardiness Zone 5–9 covers most of the continental US, though buyers in Zone 5 should expect slower first-year growth as roots adjust. Consistent daily watering during the first growing season is mandatory—skip that and even this robust tree will stall. Once the root system matures, drought tolerance kicks in and maintenance drops dramatically.
What works
- Very fast vertical growth—up to 3 ft per year after establishment
- Deer completely ignore the foliage
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types including clay
What doesn’t
- Requires daily watering during first year of establishment
- Mature size (50 ft) is too large for small suburban lots
2. 10 Arborvitae Green Giant Thuja 2.5 Inch Pot
This 10-pack of starter Green Giants offers the same fast-growing genetics as the quart-sized version but at a significantly lower per-plant cost, making it ideal for filling a long property line without breaking the monthly budget. The 2.5-inch pots contain seedlings approximately 6–12 inches tall. Several verified buyers reported receiving plants closer to 22 inches, which signals generous root development for a starter.
The trade-off is that these are young plants requiring careful first-year handling. A few reviewers noted yellowing on upper foliage after shipping, which typically indicates transplant shock or temporary water stress rather than a disease issue. Potting them up into larger containers for a season before ground planting dramatically improves survival rates, especially if you are planting outside the ideal mid-spring window.
Hardiness Zone 5–8 is slightly narrower than the single-plant Green Giant, so check your zone before ordering. The 10-pound shipping weight per unit confirms the pots contain soil, not just bare roots, which gives you a head start on establishment. Just be prepared for some variability in the first season—starter packs always show a wider range of initial vigor.
What works
- Excellent per-plant value for large-scale screening projects
- Many buyers received plants taller than the listed 6-12 inches
- Well-packaged with moisture retention during transit
What doesn’t
- Yellowing on upper foliage reported in some shipments
- Not recommended for shipping during extreme heat or freeze events
3. Emerald Green Arborvitae – #3 Container
The Emerald Green Arborvitae earns its place on this list by offering fast growth in a slender, upright column that only spreads 5–6 feet wide at maturity. This narrow width is the deciding factor for homeowners who want a privacy screen along a walkway or foundation line where a 16-foot-wide Green Giant would overwhelm the space. The rich emerald color stays vibrant all winter, avoiding the bronze tinge some arborvitae develop in cold months.
Delivered in a 3-gallon container, these plants are already well-rooted and forgiving of early planting mistakes. Multiple owners reported receiving them with strong green color and healthy root balls even when the shipping box arrived dented. The expected height of 18–20 feet means they will top out well below power lines while still providing effective visual blocking at the second-story window level.
One important trade-off: this cultivar does not have the same deer resistance as the Green Giant. If you are in a rural area with heavy deer pressure, plan on protective fencing for the first few seasons until the trunk thickens. Hardiness Zone 3–8 gives it a wider cold tolerance than many Thuja selections, making it a reliable choice for northern gardeners.
What works
- Very tight mature spread of 5-6 ft suits narrow planting strips
- Rich emerald color holds through winter without browning
- Large 3-gallon container minimizes transplant shock
What doesn’t
- More susceptible to deer browsing than Green Giant
- Growth rate is slightly slower than Thuja Plicata varieties
4. Sea Green Juniper – 10 Live Plants
Sea Green Juniper takes a different shape from the upright arborvitae—its fountain-like, arching branches create a natural vase silhouette that tops out at 4–6 feet. That makes it the best fast-growing evergreen for borders, low windbreaks, and mass plantings where you want coverage without blocking an upper view. The fine-textured bright green foliage stays dense to the ground, hiding bare legs that plague some pyramidal evergreens.
This juniper tolerates clay soil and urban air pollution better than any Thuja on this list, giving it a clear advantage for roadside plantings or properties with compacted suburban dirt. Owners consistently praise the packaging and condition upon arrival—many reported 10–12 inch plants that were healthy and well-hydrated in transit. The 10-count pack allows you to fill a substantial border in one order.
The biggest caution is accurate variety verification. A small number of buyers received mislabeled plants that did not match Sea Green Juniper characteristics. The cultivar also requires full sun to maintain its arching form—in partial shade it becomes loose and less effective as a screen. Once established, annual shearing keeps the shape tight and encourages denser branching for privacy.
What works
- Excellent performer in clay soil and polluted urban environments
- Natural vase shape stays full to ground level
- Drought tolerant once root system matures
What doesn’t
- Occasional mislabeling—verify foliage characteristics at planting
- Requires full sun to maintain tight fountain-like growth habit
5. Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae – Lot of 15
This 15-plant lot from Sandys Nursery Online comes with a bonus August Beauty Gardenia starter, sweetening the deal for anyone establishing a large privacy screen. Each tree ships in a 3-inch deep pot with soil, standing roughly 10–14 inches tall from the soil line. The Green Giant genetics are identical to the single quart version—meaning 2–3 feet of annual growth once established—but the per-unit cost drops significantly at this volume.
Buyers with multi-year experience have confirmed that these trees reach 7 feet within 7–8 growing seasons, even when planted as small starters. The 15-count provides enough material to cover 75–90 linear feet of property line at the recommended 5-foot spacing. Several long-term reviews noted that losses are minimal—maybe 4 out of 30—and extras can be replanted in gaps without much size discrepancy.
The only limitation is that Sandys Nursery does not ship to Arizona, and the 3-inch pots require more attentive aftercare than a larger container. Potting up to 1-gallon containers for the first season before ground planting is a common strategy that dramatically reduces loss rates. The bonus Gardenia adds a fragrant deciduous element to your evergreen layout, but it does not share the same cold hardiness—protect it through winter in Zone 5–6.
What works
- Very cost-effective per-plant price for full-property screens
- Proven long-term growth—verified buyers report 7+ feet in 7 seasons
- Bonus Gardenia starter adds seasonal fragrance
What doesn’t
- 3-inch pots need careful aftercare and often benefit from potting up
- Does not ship to Arizona under any circumstances
Hardware & Specs Guide
Mature Height & Spread Planning
The single most overlooked spec is the mature width of a fast-growing evergreen. A Green Giant that hits 50 feet tall with a 16-foot spread will outgrow a 10-foot planting strip within five years, forcing constant shearing that ruins its natural pyramidal form. Measure your available width and subtract at least 4 feet for airflow and maintenance access, then choose a cultivar whose mature spread fits that number. Emerald Green Arborvitae with a 5–6 foot spread works for tight corridors, while Juniperus chinensis stays manageable at 4–6 feet wide for borders.
Growth Rate: 2 ft vs 3 ft Per Year
Not all fast-growing evergreens are equally fast. Thuja Plicata ‘Green Giant’ consistently delivers 2–3 feet of annual height increase after its root system is established in year two, while Emerald Green Arborvitae typically manages 1–2 feet under optimal conditions. That difference matters when you need a 6-foot screen quickly—a Green Giant planting will close the gap in 2–3 years, while the Emerald Green may need 4–5 seasons. Junipers fall in the middle at 1–2 feet, but their lower mature height means you are only waiting for density, not height.
FAQ
Which fast growing evergreen stays green through winter without turning bronze?
How far apart should I plant Green Giant arborvitae for a privacy screen?
Do fast growing evergreens have weak wood that breaks in snow or ice?
What is the best fast growing evergreen for wet or clay soil?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners seeking a tall, dense privacy screen that survives deer and clay soil, the best fast growing evergreen trees winner is the Thuja Plicata ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae because it combines 2–3 feet annual growth with unmatched soil adaptability and zero deer appeal. If you want a narrow upright profile for tight planting spaces, grab the Emerald Green Arborvitae. And for low borders or clay-heavy urban lots, nothing beats the Sea Green Juniper.