No arborvitae variety is 100% deer-proof, but Thuja Green Giant offers the strongest natural resistance due to its Western Redcedar genetics, while Eastern varieties like Emerald Green are frequently destroyed.
A row of arborvitae eaten bare from the ground up to six feet is a specific kind of garden heartbreak. If deer roam your neighborhood, the variety you choose determines whether your privacy screen survives winter or becomes a buffet. The difference comes down to genetics: arborvitae with Western Redcedar lineage (Thuja plicata) produce aromatic foliage deer typically avoid, while Eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a preferred food source. Here is what actually holds up and what to plant instead.
The One Arborvitae Deer Tend To Skip
Thuja Green Giant (including branded versions like Deerproof™ Giant and American Pillar Arborvitae) carries the strongest natural deer resistance of any arborvitae variety. Its genetics come from the Western Redcedar, which deer avoid due to dense, aromatic foliage. Davey Tree’s arborists confirm that while no plant is guaranteed, Green Giant is the arborvitae most likely to be left alone. PlantingTree notes it “seldom bothered” deer in their field trials across multiple zones.
Even Green Giant has limits. Mike’s Backyard Nursery, which has grown thousands of them, reports that hungry deer will eat Green Giant when preferred food sources are exhausted or snow cover is deep. The resistance is strong but conditional — not absolute.
Varieties Deer Eat First
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the one homeowners most often lose. Eastern Thuja occidentalis varieties — including Emerald Green, Dark Green, and Pyramidal — are a known deer favorite. Reddit threads on the topic are full of before-and-after photos showing Emerald Green stripped to bare branches in a single winter. If deer are established in your area, planting Emerald Green is effectively stocking their pantry.
Leyland Cypress also lacks meaningful deer resistance. Multiple nursery sources advise against planting it in deer-heavy zones because it gets browsed and rarely recovers well. Skip it entirely for deer-prone properties.
Deer Resistant Arborvitae Varieties Compared
| Variety | Deer Resistance Level | Why It Works Or Fails |
|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant (Deerproof™ Giant) | Strong (best option) | Western Redcedar genetics produce aromatic oils deer avoid |
| American Pillar Arborvitae | Strong | Same Green Giant lineage, narrow columnar form |
| Cryptomeria (Japanese Cedar) | High | Not a true arborvitae; seldom browsed by deer |
| Tator Tot Arborvitae | Moderate | Small dwarf variety, may still be eaten under pressure |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | Low | Eastern white cedar; deer favorite, frequently destroyed |
| Leyland Cypress | Low | Not deer-resistant; often eaten and slow to recover |
| Eastern White Cedar (Wild) | Very Low | Natural winter food source for deer in many regions |
How To Plant Green Giant For Best Results
Plant in early spring or early fall when soil is moist and temperatures are cool. Choose a spot with full sun and well-drained soil — standing water kills arborvitae faster than any deer.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root ball itself. Remove the tree from its container and gently loosen any circling roots. Set the tree so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil, then backfill halfway, water to settle, and finish filling. Water again to remove air pockets. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch, keeping it 3–4 inches away from the trunk — direct mulch contact against the trunk causes crown rot.
Space trees 3–4 feet apart for a dense privacy fence, or 6–10 feet for a looser screen. Routine shearing is not required, but inspect in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or crossing branches.
Growth Rates And What To Expect
| Variety | Mature Height | Growth Rate | Hardiness Zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | 25–35 ft (up to 60 ft unpruned) | 3–5+ ft per year | 5–9 |
| American Pillar | 25–35 ft | 3–4 ft per year | 5–9 |
| Emerald Green | 15–18 ft | 1–2 ft per year | 4–8 |
| Cryptomeria Radicans | 30–40 ft | 2–3 ft per year | 5–9 |
Deer-Proofing Without Replacing Your Plants
If you already have arborvitae that deer are hitting, or you want to protect Green Giant during harsh winters, the most reliable method is physical barriers. Wrap netting, burlap, or mesh around the lower 6–8 feet of each tree during winter. It is not the prettiest option, but it stops browsing completely.
Deer repellent sprays work — but only if you stay consistent. DIY formulas (eggs, garlic, water) need reapplication every 4–8 weeks and immediately after rain or snow. Store-bought repellents with putrescent eggs can fail in freezing temperatures. For a comprehensive product breakdown of what actually holds up through winter, see our tested roundup of top deer repellents for arborvitae.
Alternative plants to consider if deer pressure is extreme: Boxwoods, Spruce, Holly, and Viburnum. None are arborvitae, but they offer better odds in areas where even Green Giant gets browsed.
Final Decision Guide For Deer-Prone Yards
If you must have arborvitae: plant Thuja Green Giant (standard or American Pillar form), space at 3–4 feet, and accept that protection sprays or physical barriers may be needed in hard winters. Do not plant Emerald Green or Leyland Cypress if deer visit your property. If your deer problem is severe and you want zero risk, skip arborvitae entirely and go with Boxwood or Spruce — neither looks like arborvitae, but both survive.
FAQs
Will Green Giant arborvitae survive a harsh winter with deer?
Green Giant has the best chance of any arborvitae, but extreme winter food scarcity can push deer to eat it anyway. Wrapping the lower trunk in netting or burlap during deep snow months adds reliable protection when natural resistance may not be enough.
Is American Pillar more deer resistant than regular Green Giant?
American Pillar is a narrow-growing form of the same Green Giant genetics, so its deer resistance is identical. Both carry the same Western Redcedar lineage that deer naturally avoid. Choose based on space and shape preference, not resistance level.
Do deer eat Tator Tot arborvitae?
Tator Tot arborvitae is a dwarf variety with moderate deer resistance. Its small size means deer can reach and strip it entirely in one visit. In high-deer areas, treat it like a preferred food source and protect it with repellents or mesh.
Can I protect established arborvitae that deer keep eating?
Yes. Physical barriers (netting or burlap wrapped from ground level up to 8 feet) stop deer immediately. Deer repellent sprays need consistent reapplication every 4–8 weeks, especially after rain. Established plants that have been repeatedly stripped may not regrow fully, so barrier installation before winter is critical.
What grows fast, tall, and deer won’t eat at all?
Nothing is truly “won’t eat.” For height and speed with strong resistance, Cryptomeria (Japanese Cedar) reaches 30–40 feet and is seldom bothered. Green Giant gives faster height growth — 3–5 feet per year — with the caveat that extreme conditions can still trigger browsing.
References & Sources
- Bower & Branch. “Deerproof™ Giant Arborvitae.” Product documentation on natural deer resistance claims.
- Davey Tree. “Stop Deer from Eating Arborvitae Trees.” Professional arborist guidance on arborvitae deer resistance and protection methods.
- The Tree Center. “Deer Resistant Trees and Shrubs.” Genetic breakdown of Western vs. Eastern arborvitae resistance.
- PlantingTree. “Deer Resistant Privacy Trees.” Field-tested deer resistance ratings for common privacy trees.
- Garden Goods Direct. “American Pillar Arborvitae.” Official planting and spacing instructions.