{"product_id":"hetz-wintergreen-arborvitae","title":"Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Fast, Tall Arborvitae for Quick Minnesota Privacy\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHetz Wintergreen Arborvitae (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Hetz Wintergreen') is one of the fastest-growing arborvitae for upper-Midwest privacy. It builds a tall, full pyramid 20-30 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide, with soft, deep green foliage that stays rich through winter. When you need a screen in a hurry, this is the workhorse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHetz Wintergreen Arborvitae Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Hetz Wintergreen'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHetz Wintergreen Arborvitae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6-10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast - up to 2-3 feet per year once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade (4+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; water deeply through the first two seasons.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - soft, dense sprays holding deep green winter color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow - deer browse arborvitae; protect with fencing or repellent the first 2-3 winters.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies native to Minnesota; 'Hetz Wintergreen' is a cultivated selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHetz Wintergreen Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast, Tall Privacy Screens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you need privacy fast, Hetz Wintergreen delivers — growing up to 2 to 3 feet a year once established and reaching 20 to 30 feet tall. Planted 4 to 5 feet apart it forms a dense, towering screen that blocks even second-story views within a few seasons. It's a top pick for back property lines on larger lots in Maple Grove, Woodbury, and Lakeville. Note for western suburbs: deer browse arborvitae heavily, so see the deer note below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWindbreaks and Property Lines\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts size and density also make Hetz Wintergreen an excellent windbreak along an open property line or field edge in Eden Prairie or the outer-ring suburbs. A staggered double row gives the best wind protection, and the soft, full sprays screen views completely from the ground up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDeep Green Winter Color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHetz Wintergreen lives up to its name: where many arborvitae fade to a dull bronze in the cold, this one holds a rich, deep green right through a Minnesota winter. That means a screen that still looks lush and intentional in February, not tired and brown — a real advantage when an evergreen is doing the work of a fence year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen, Hetz Wintergreen establishes best when planted in \u003cstrong\u003elate August through mid-September\u003c\/strong\u003e. The soil is still warm enough to drive root growth, while cooler air eases transplant stress and gives the plant six to eight weeks to settle in before the ground freezes around mid-November. \u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April through May)\u003c\/strong\u003e is the solid second choice, leaving a full season to root before the first winter. Avoid the heat of midsummer, and never plant after mid-October — evergreens set out too late are prone to winter desiccation before their roots can support them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDig wide, not deep.\u003c\/strong\u003e Make the hole 2 to 3 times the width of the root ball but no deeper — the top of the root ball should sit slightly above grade. In heavy clay, go even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMind the moisture.\u003c\/strong\u003e Arborvitae like consistent moisture, so a spot that doesn't bake dry is ideal — but avoid standing water; if drainage is poor, mound-plant a few inches high.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackfill with amended soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mix your native soil with 20 to 30 percent compost to hold moisture and loosen heavy clay; this species rewards a richer backfill than junipers do.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpace for the use.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set plants 4 to 5 feet apart for a fast privacy screen, or 6 to 8 feet apart in a staggered double row for a windbreak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuild a water basin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Form a 3 to 4 inch soil ring around the base to channel water to the roots. Flatten it before winter so ice doesn't collect against the trunk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch with bark.\u003c\/strong\u003e Spread 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches off the trunk, to lock in the moisture arborvitae crave. Skip gravel mulch — it bakes roots and gives no winter insulation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Deep soak every 1 to 2 days (15–25 minutes at a slow trickle).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 2 to 3 days — arborvitae need more consistent moisture than junipers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 4 to 6 days during active growth; don't let the root zone dry out. Fast growers like this one are thirsty as they establish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2 to 3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro) — then give one last deep soak in early December, especially if fall was dry, to limit winter burn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater deeply through the first two seasons while the plant establishes. After that, Hetz Wintergreen needs supplemental water mainly during dry spells — a deep soak every 7 to 10 days when there's been two-plus weeks without rain. It is less drought-tolerant than juniper or spruce, so don't let it bake, and always finish with that early-December deep watering before freeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's hardy to roughly -40°F (USDA zone 3), and its standout trait is holding deep green color through the cold instead of bronzing. On a tall screen, brush heavy snow off the branches so they don't break or splay, and give a deep December watering; that's about all this tough, native-species selection needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — deer favor arborvitae as a winter food and will browse Hetz Wintergreen up to about five feet, leaving a tall screen bare at the bottom, especially in high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Chanhassen. Plan to protect young plants: a winter repellent rotated through the season, burlap or netting wraps, or fencing. Where deer pressure is severe and a long screen can't be protected, a spruce or juniper windbreak is the more deer-proof choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it really grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast — up to 2 to 3 feet a year once established, among the quickest arborvitae for screening. Give it full sun (it also takes part shade), steady water the first two seasons, and room to reach 20 to 30 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. Space accordingly so the screen doesn't crowd as it fills in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTechny Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough, slightly more compact fast screen that also holds green winter color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Arborvitae (White Cedar)\u003c\/strong\u003e — the big Minnesota-native species for tall screens and wet sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEmerald Green Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a narrower, more formal arborvitae for tidy privacy hedges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMoffat Blue Juniper\u003c\/strong\u003e — a deer-resistant blue evergreen alternative for screens in high deer-pressure yards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a privacy screen, plant Hetz Wintergreen 4–5 feet apart in a single row (use 6–8 feet in a staggered double row for a windbreak):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlants Needed (4.5-ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e17 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e34 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHetz Wintergreen Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e A flush of bright new growth pushes the screen taller — this is when those 2–3 feet of annual height go on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft, dense deep-green sprays fill in from the ground up, thickening the wall of privacy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage stays rich green while deciduous neighbors drop — the screen suddenly earns its keep.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds deep green color through −40°F instead of bronzing; brush off heavy snow loads to keep branches from splaying.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest   ✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/techny-arborvitae\"\u003eTechny Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — slightly more compact screening partner with the same green winter color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/american-arborvitae-white-cedar\"\u003eAmerican Arborvitae (White Cedar)\u003c\/a\u003e — the big Minnesota-native species for tall screens and wetter sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/emerald-green-arborvitae\"\u003eEmerald Green Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — narrower, formal hedge form for tighter spots near the patio.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/moffat-blue-juniper\"\u003eMoffat Blue Juniper\u003c\/a\u003e — deer-resistant blue evergreen to mix in where browsing pressure is high.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Hetz Wintergreen if you have a sunny to partly shaded property line, decent moisture, and room for a 20–30 foot evergreen wall — it's the fastest honest route to tall, green, year-round privacy in the metro. It's not a fit for unprotected yards with heavy deer pressure (deer strip arborvitae to five feet) or hot, dry sites that bake — go with a juniper or spruce screen there instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"6' B\u0026B","offer_id":54281472999729,"sku":"GT-E3350","price":260.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/hetz-wintergreen-arborvitae.jpg?v=1779469308","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/hetz-wintergreen-arborvitae","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}