Green Giant Arborvitae Planting in Swarthmore PA – What to Know Before You Plant

Byline: Written by Greg Drecher, ISA Certified Arborist #PD-2775A

Green Giant Arborvitae Planting in Swarthmore, PA

Arbor Day falls on the last Friday of April each year, and this year our arborvitae planting in Swarthmore, PA meant something concrete, ten Green Giant Arborvitae going into the ground along a residential property border.

The job replaced dead shrubs and recently removed mulberry trees along a property border, giving the homeowner a full privacy screen that will fill in and grow for years to come. It is the kind of work that does not get as much attention as a large removal, but it matters just as much for the long-term health and value of a property.

Pennsylvania has more forest today than it did a hundred years ago. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the state’s sawtimber volume has increased more than five times since 1955, and there are now 16.6 million acres of forested land across the commonwealth. That recovery happened because of intentional planting, management, and care — the same principles that drive every planting job we do on the Main Line and in Delaware County.

Why Green Giant Arborvitae Planting Works in Swarthmore PA

According to Greg Drecher, ISA Certified Arborist #PD-2775A, who led the installation, the species was the right fit for this property from the start. “It matches the existing landscape and will provide the natural fencing they are looking for,” Drecher said. Green Giants are fast growers, deer-resistant, and adapt well to the clay-heavy soils common in Swarthmore and surrounding Main Line communities — making them one of the more reliable privacy screen choices in Delaware County.

The ISA recommends selecting species that match the site conditions and intended purpose before any planting project. In this case the property already had established plantings along the border, and the Green Giant’s natural columnar form allowed the new trees to blend into the existing landscape rather than contrast with it.

ISA certified arborist planting Green Giant Arborvitae privacy screen in Swarthmore PA — *The completed Green Giant Arborvitae privacy screen in Swarthmore, PA – ten trees installed with fresh mulch along the property border.*

What to Expect After Planting

Green Giant Arborvitae are rapid growers. Greg notes that homeowners can expect the trees to roughly double in size within a few seasons, putting on 2 to 4 feet of growth per year under good conditions.

Establishment in the first season is the critical period. Greg’s guidance for new plantings:

Watering: Water daily in the first weeks to keep soil consistently moist — this helps roots get established in their new location
Ongoing moisture: After the first few months watering can taper off, but remain mindful during droughts and maintain good soil moisture throughout the growing season
Mulch: The mulch bed applied at installation retains soil moisture, suppresses competing weeds and turf grass, and provides a protective buffer from foot traffic and equipment
Pest watch: Keep an eye out for bagworms and spider mites, two of the more common pests affecting arborvitae in this region
Seasonal inspections: Have an ISA Certified Arborist inspect during prolonged hot dry spells, wet early springs, significant wind events, and extended periods of ice or frost — all of which can stress newly established trees

Executive Tree Care crew installing Green Giant Arborvitae in Swarthmore PA backyard — *The Executive Tree Care crew setting trees during the Swarthmore installation – each tree hand-placed and backfilled before mulching.*

Is a Privacy Screen Right for Your Property?

Not every property is a candidate for a row of arborvitae. Spacing, sight lines, existing trees, and soil conditions all factor into whether a privacy planting will perform the way a homeowner expects. An ISA Certified Arborist can walk the property and give you an honest assessment before you commit to the cost of installation.

The Swarthmore job is a good example of replacing problem trees — mulberries that had been removed and dead shrubs — with something that will add long-term value rather than ongoing maintenance headaches. That kind of planning is what separates a planting job that thrives from one that struggles.

If you are thinking about adding trees or a privacy screen to your property this spring, the best first step is a site visit. Executive Tree Care has been serving Swarthmore, Rutledge, Media, and communities across Delaware County and the Main Line for over 15 years. Our plant health care services keep newly planted and established trees healthy long after the initial installation.

Ready to have an ISA Certified Arborist take a look? Schedule your free estimate today.

Green Giant Arborvitae Planting in Swarthmore PA – What to Know Before You Plant