Deep green foliage tipped with sprays of lighter green new growth, Thuja Plicata ‘Green Sport’ is a welcome addition to the garden landscape. Growing at upwards of almost a foot each year, this variety of Western Red Cedar checks all the boxes for a multitude of uses. Sporting an nostalgic alpine scent and rated for Zones 5-9, it is perfect tamed in a patio container or planted in a sunny spot in the yard.

Our relationship with ‘Green Sport’ developed when we first moved into our house. The backyard had no landscaping at all and afforded no privacy.

In researching evergreens, I was familiar with the popular Leyland Cypress and Arborvitae however was looking for a more unique and hardy choice. As our yard is not the largest unfortunately, it limited some of the more ideal varieties of evergreens we had considered, such as Thuja ‘Green Giant’, Southern Magnolia or even Cherry Laurel (which we learned are poisonous to dogs).

Perusing Monrovia.com, I discovered ‘Green Sport’ and found a collection of trees available for sale at a local nursery. Known as a Western Red Cedar, the variety has fast growth and enjoys full to partial sun. It is noted they take well to trimming and are a great choice for a privacy screen.

Exactly what I was looking for, I decided to utilize them for screening purposes and found added benefits over the years!

With over 4 years of growth, the trees are truly a winning choice. Adding at least a foot of new growth each year, in full sun they are extremely dense and afford birds a great place to call home. When surrounding evergreens in the neighborhood have been affected by bagworms or mites, our Green Sports have been disease-free. From a water requirement standpoint, our collection near our back alley have done superbly in more drought conditions whereas our breezeway bunch have thrived in a more naturally moist ground environment.

For the most dense growth, I recommend planting in full sun. While our breezeway spot has afforded the trees with an ideal level of ground moisture, the shade from our house and breezeway roof has given them more partial sun and after a few years, they are beginning to be a touch see-through.

‘Green Sport’ is a great choice for a site requiring erosion control as well! They spread small, fibrous roots and are great at soil retention, especially in a raised bed where a retaining wall may not be present.

Trimming requirements are really based upon the choice of site. As ours are planted near aluminum fencing, I have had to shear the back of 2 trees so far which keep them in check and also perfume the air with the scent of cedar.

The trees have an appealing conical growth habit and gracefully fill in without sending out asymmetrical leaders or branches. Time will tell surrounding their viability through crippling ice-storms or heavy snows however with their origination in the Pacific Northwest, I am hopeful they will be able to withstand what Mother Nature can throw at them!

Do you plan to add ‘Green Sport’ to your landscape or have already? Feel free to comment below!

Fun fact: Thuja plicata produces organic compounds called tropolones that are concentrated in the heartwood and give the wood its decay resistance and contribute to its distinctive aroma.