I found Green Giant after YEARS of searching and researching how to create a natural privacy screen…read morefor my backyard. I was so happy not to have given up by now, and to come across Green Giant in my latest attempt this year.
When I first bought my home, there was an empty space and, according to the builder, "probably not big enough to build something back there." Yeah, yeah...I'm so naive, eh? The row of townhouses that came in a couple years later meant that even with a fence, you have to come up with something so that you aren't almost literally in your neighbour's faces if you're both in the backyard (or their main floor walkout balcony) at the same time. Some neighbours don't bother doing anything about that, and others find some sort of trees to plant. I knew that I wanted trees, and I knew that I wanted the kind that go up over 30 feet - and that means carefully selecting a tree that will get there. I also knew I wanted an evergreen, because that means no mess, and year round privacy coverage. Well, in previous searches at nurseries in the GTA, that seemed to mean only that I'd have to buy 8 to 10 cedars at over $100 each. Um, ... yeah, I held off for a long, long time.
And then - I found Green Giant nursery out in north Kitchener. Green Giant specializes only in Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae - a breed which goes to 30-35 feet high, and needs about 5 feet in diameter. They carry various stages of growth, from sapling to over 4 feet starters - and with a range of prices from $12.95 - $60, I was sold even if I did have to drive to north Kitchener to pick them up myself. Not only are the prices per unit so much less than anything I'd seen around here, I will only need 4 of them.
Because this is a family run business, it means that there is no retail space to visit. You make contact by e-mail or phone and once you've placed an order, you'll be given the address to collect the trees from their farm. Any questions you possibly have, you will get proper answers, and a lot of support. Their website also contains a LOT of photos and information on the trees and how to care for them.
When I picked up the 4 trees I needed, Ian was very helpful in answering all the questions I had about planting them, what to look for as they grow to keep looking after them, and so on. I am so happy these guys are doing what they're doing, and that I found them - and that they are so passionate about what they do, and deal with well with their clientele in providing it. They clearly take pride in their one special product, and they even want me to send them photo updates - this is100% what a provider/customer relationship should be. I'm happy to say that about 3 weeks after putting them, I haven't killed any of them, and I'd swear they've already gotten bigger. Thank you Ian and Green Giant!
