Any coniferous evergreen tree or shrub with a conical shape, thin, flaking outer bark, and fibrous inner bark is commonly referred to as an arborvitae. They feature flattened twig systems, straight, towering branches, and four rows of tiny, scale-like leaves on each of these little branches. Carried to Paris by French explorers, the first tree from North America to reach Europe was the arborvitae.

A tea prepared from the bark and leaves of the tree was discovered as a treatment for scurvy during one of Jacques Cartier’s lengthy sea expeditions in 1536, and this made the tree a significant asset.

Later in 1558, the tree was given the Latin name “arborvitae,” which means “tree of life. The genus Thuja, which includes three species indigenous to Eastern Asia and two natives to North America, belongs to the Cupressaceae family of cypresses and is the parental plant of the Arborvitae.

Arborvitaes are attractive ornamental trees that grow quickly and are especially well-liked for their capacity to promptly establish a natural privacy barrier.

Among the Thuja species, one Arborvitae stands out for its incredibly distinctive features and draws people in, even though it grows considerably more slowly than the others.

Little Giant Globe Arborvitae

The Thuja genus’s little giant globe arborvitae is a very hardy dwarf globe that forms a beautiful round ball on its own without the need for pruning or trimming.

This tree, which is widely planted throughout North America, offers the necessary evergreen screening without becoming overly tall and has sturdy, dark-green leaves that require little pruning to maintain.

The evergreen shrub Thuja occidentalis is a small, globe-shaped plant with soft leaves that are highly beneficial and resilient.

Characteristics

• The little giant globe, like all arborvitae, features tiny, scale-like leaves that are packed closely together in overlapping rows on tiny branches, displaying a flattened fan-like spray.
• It grows to a height and width of 3-4 feet but some have been known to reach a height of 7 feet.
• If one likes the clean, formal look of landscape plants sheared into neat geometric shapes but doesn’t have the time for all that pruning, the Little Giant Globe Arborvitae is just what you need.
• With its tightly packed branches and compact size, this tidy evergreen produces expanding balls of rich green foliage that naturally arrange themselves into a perfect sphere.
• This arborvitae develops at a very moderate pace; when fully grown, it will reach a height of roughly 6 feet, a spread of 6 feet, and a growth rate of 12 to 24 inches annually. Because it won’t outgrow its space, it makes an excellent gardening plant.
• One notable characteristic of the plant is that its vivid green leaves persist well into the winter months, and when privacy is desired, the little giant arborvitae can form superb “living walls” with its dense evergreen foliage.
• In addition to being utilized to frame walkways and act as a backdrop for other plants, they are frequently planted in tidy rows along garden boundaries to act as windbreaks and sound absorbers.
• The Little Giant Globe Arborvitae works well in small gardens where year-round interest is required, and it looks stunning when massed in a shrub border.
• It’s often used as a Christmas tree and also frequently as a decorative plant and a low-maintenance hedge.
• Jacques Cartier claims that the Thuja occidentalis tree, known as “the tree of life,” is the source of scurvy remedies due to its leaves and bark.
• Both sections of the tree are said to be high in vitamin C.

Cultivation Of the Little Giant Globe Arborvitae

Planting

The little giant globe arborvitae in late summer or early autumn can be propagated by cutting a 5- to 9-inch twig at a 45-degree angle off a healthy branch (ideally less than a year old) with sharp garden scissors.

All foliage should be removed from the cutting’s base to ensure that it has soft, green foliage and a woody foundation.

Digging a hole twice as big as the cut is the next task on the list. After that, add some compost to the hole.

This is a crucial step since it will enable the tree to receive the nutrients it requires to flourish.

After the compost has been thoroughly mixed with the soil, the cutting should be inserted into the hole, covered with more dirt, and watered.

It is imperative to water the arborvitae cutting whenever the soil seems dry, as it may require nearly continuous hydration to flourish.

The cutting should take root in approximately six weeks.

If a grow pot is being used, it needs to be filled with soil that has been well-fertilized and put in an area with filtered light.

When it gets larger, move it to a larger pot, and in the spring, put the newly acquired arborvitae outside.

When planted in full sun or light shade in generally moist but not continuously wet soil, the Little Giant Arborvitae can tolerate droughts and grows into a huge tree suitable for a variety of settings.

Watering

During the first growing season, new plants require weekly watering, depending on the amount of rainfall.

A light misting of water should be sufficient, but in hot weather, the ground should be completely submerged in water every few days rather than being lightly doused every day.

Deep watering makes the roots of the plant grow farther into the soil, strengthening it and increasing its resistance to drought.

One can use a hand trowel or finger to dig a tiny hole and look at the soil to determine the moisture content of the soil. It’s time to water if the top two to four inches of soil are dry.

After ensuring that they receive the necessary amount of moisture for the first two years, new plants should be resilient enough to endure on their own.

Trimming

The little giant globe arborvitae rarely has to be trimmed, but if one feels compelled to do so for personal reasons, cuttings should be performed at an angle, just above a leaf bud, as here is where new growth will emerge.

Additionally, any tools—hand shears, pruners, or loppers—should always be maintained clean and sharp, regardless of the design or task at hand.

Fertilization

Fertilize established trees every two to three years, as well as in the early spring when the plants begin to grow.

Fertilizers come in a variety of forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic, or synthetic.

Based on the administration method that works best for your scenario, choose a product made specifically for trees and shrubs or go with a general-purpose, nutritionally balanced formula like 10-10-10.

Plant damage can arise from overfertilizing a plant or from applying at the incorrect time of the growing season; therefore, it is important to always abide by the application rates and scheduling specified on the fertilizer package.

More Cultivation Tips for The Little Giant Globe Arborvitae

There are a few considerations to make while planting the little giant globe arborvitae.

The first step in planting the evergreen is to determine its proper position.

It should be situated where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight per day.

Making sure the tree has enough space to develop is also crucial; it must be at least 20 feet away from any other trees or structures.

It is even better to place the globes five to six feet apart, between a snow breaker, a windbreak, and a living privacy screen or hedge.

Should you want an even more stunning globe hedge, you can divide the trees into two rows four feet apart, and planting them eight to fifteen feet apart throughout the rows works best.

Planting these arborvitae too close to sidewalks, utilities, roadways, or other structures might limit their development, which is one of the most common mistakes in planting them.

Care Of  The Little Giant Globe Arborvitae

The Thuja occidentalis is not exceptionally durable and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance.

The growth that sprouted during the current season should only be nipped back when necessary.

Because of its tidy, rounded shape, which makes it easy to plant as a showpiece, this evergreen is good for landscapes.

A plant cannot generally survive in a climate where it is overwatered, diseased, insect-infested, has poor soil conditions, drought conditions, or is eaten by ravenous animals.

For this reason, growing plants need to be constantly monitored and shielded from outside predators.

The occasional infestation of aphids, scale insects, and bark beetles can affect the little giant globe arborvitae trees; however, many of these insects are readily managed with a strong garden hose spray.

In summary,

Arborvitae trees grow well in full sun or light shade and provide year-round interest.

If you can place them in an area that receives six hours or more of direct sunshine each day, ideally early in the day, they will thrive.

Because arborvitae trees are thirsty and like continuously moist soil, place them in an area where they will receive regular irrigation to stay healthy and green.

By planting these hedges, you can enjoy the benefits of a lovely garden without the hassle of upkeep, as well as protection and a lovely screen to hide views of the neighboring properties and the road.