Questions about planting Thuja Steeplechase arborvitae

We want to plant a screening backdrop plant in our back yard, in a sunny, well drained area with irrigation. I'm interested in the new cultivar: Thuja Steeplechase, which is touted as an improvement over the Green Giant.
Here is one site that got my attention: http://www.carrollgardens.com/enewsletter/2006/01/060126-lib.asp
I'd like to start off with 5 ft trees if I can find them and afford them. I'm fairly new to gardening. I notice plants are usually sold by gallon size. The quotes I'm getting are: 7-gal. @ $129.00 or in a 30-gal. @ $349.00 Yikes! OK, how tall should I expect these plants to be? How rapidly will they grow?
Does anyone have experience with Thuja green giant and/or steeplechase that they would share with me?
Thanks,
--Don

What is your hardiness zone?

I wonder if these would grow in Phoenix Arizona. I am having a hard time find it.

Doyledh, if 'Steeplechase' shares the quick growing attribute of 'Green Giant', it may grow 4-5 feet per year. Although, as Carroll Gardens states, 2 feet per year is average.

Wayside Gardens (mail order nursery) is offering 1 gallon plants, and by the looks of their grower's photo, they appear to be at least 3-4 feet tall already! http://www.waysidegardensvoices.com/2006/10/thuja_steeplech.html

I think I'd expect a 7 gallon plant to be at least 7-8 feet tall, and a 30 gallon specimen to be pushing 15 or 20 feet! (especially at those prices!)

Wayside usually has relatively high prices, but many times the plant received justifies the expense. Here's a link to their website's entry for 'Steeplechase'... http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10151&langId=-1&cid=wgblog0001&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=47064

This message was edited Feb 20, 2007 9:42 PM

Ooops, first time out, didn't know where to ask the question! Sorry!!!

This message was edited Apr 27, 2009 2:23 PM

Thuga's grow fast so, personally, I wouldn't invest all that money to get some that are already 5+ feet tall. Besides, it's a lot easier for a tree to establish a good root system when it's smaller. Larger trees have a lot more top growth to support while trying to establish their feeder roots after planting so it's quite a struggle for them.

I work at a retail nursery and we have carried Steeplechase in the past. We offered our 7 gallon plants at $69.99 and if I remember correctly they were at least 5-6 feet tall. So $129 sounds way too high to me unless that price includes delivery and installation.

(mightyscott- Steeplechase does fine in zone 7b-8 so it is an option for you. Also, I'd suggest you start a new post with your question so no one accuses you of "hijacking" this post :)

I can't recommend any multi-stemmed Arborvitae. I put in a dozen or so, and have had too many problems with heavy snow or ice causing them to bend over, causing the root ball to shift. . . . the multiple stems splay out and don't stay close together, so then you are supposed to tie the stems with stretchable plastic tape, but then the stems can snap where they are tied. . . . oh I see you are way south of me. Maybe you won't have these problems down there?

My certified arborist came last week and recommended that we rip out all my arb's and replace with hemlocks. He says he never recommends arborvitae, other than native michigan cedar. Very disappointing.

I planted 2 Steeplechase shrubs about 8-10 years ago. They were planted to hide a telephone pole. They started out at about 4 feet each. I can't remember what I paid for them. They grow about 3 feet a year. They never need staking and they have been through many snow, ice and wind storms. The tops are now about 2-3 feet below the top of the pole. They are no longer growing at the speed of 3-4 feet a year. In fact I think they have almost topped out. They are thinner at the top as they have one main trunk rather than some of the other abbreviate that have many. I am in search for more to put up a screen at the back of the property.but I can't find them at the local nurseries. I would buy the smaller ones as they will grow . I have never had to trim them as they are more compact which is another great reason to purchase them. Best evergreen for a tall screen.

Best way to make a THICK well balanced hedge is to plant smaller shrubs / trees etc, they are by far able to settle into the new environment easier, you have more control over the thickness and hight you want to achieve, and to be honest, you will never get a hedge planted to the achievable hight you want as big trees are as stated before very difficult to care for, possibility of having to cut the hight way before the roots have stabilized enough to take such treatment, trees loose Moisture when cut, smaller plants allow just the smallest amount of nipping out while the roots are establishing, but Hey, your choose, I would have a look around the neighborhood to find out what grows well as a hedge, your local Arboretum may be able to help you out, especially with rules and regulations if any regarding hedge hight, also, it is worth while looking at what grows under the ground with your choice of tree,s, roots can eventually be the biggest problem if not for you then for neighbours, trees suck out tons of moisture from the soil and can lead to subsidence for property either side of hedge, so check all that out too. good luck. WeeNel.