Arborvitae alternatives for Nebraska landscapes are becoming an important topic for homeowners frustrated with these popular evergreens. Arborvitae (Thuja spp.) is a common choice for privacy hedges and living screens — especially since it’s widely available at big box stores and even Costco. Many homeowners are drawn to its fast growth and tidy, columnar form. However, Arborvitae often struggle in Nebraska’s climate.
Why Arborvitae Struggles in Nebraska
Arborvitae is highly sensitive to our desiccating winter winds, and the result is often sections of dieback and browning — sometimes after just a couple of years in the ground. Even if newly planted arborvitae looks great for the first year or two, it often begins to decline quickly, leaving gaps in your hedge or screen.
Unfortunately, there is no exact one-to-one replacement that looks and behaves like arborvitae but thrives in this environment. The good news? There are better options that will provide you with privacy and offer more ecological value to your landscape.
Top Arborvitae Alternatives for Nebraska
Taylor Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’)
If you’re looking for a narrow, upright conifer, Taylor Juniper is a top choice. It’s hardy, adaptable, and more tolerant of Nebraska’s climate than arborvitae. ‘Taylor’ is a columnar selection of eastern red cedar that typically reaches 15–20 feet tall but remains only 3–4 feet wide, making it ideal for tight spaces where you want vertical structure. The silvery blue-green foliage stays attractive throughout the growing season and may develop bronze tones in winter.
Columnar Trees
If you want a more vertical element similar to arborvitae, there are columnar tree options — though keep in mind they will get taller and wider over time:
- Regal Prince Columnar Oak (Quercus × warei ‘Long’) is a beautiful tree that deserves more recognition! This beauty will add structure and height to your landscape. Expect a mature width of about 15–20 feet.
- Kindred Spirit Oak (Quercus robur × bicolor ‘Nadler’) is another ‘nativar,’ as a cross with the swamp white oak. This hardy, adaptable tree will be striking in your landscape, but you can expect a mature width of about 15-20 feet.
- Columnar Swedish Aspen (Populus tremula ‘Erecta’) can be an excellent vertical accent, with a very narrow (about 10 feet wide) and tall (up to 40 feet) growth habit. Longevity and heat tolerance in Nebraska are still being evaluated, but initial plantings at the nursery have performed well!
Large Shrubs for Screening
Other Arborvitae alternatives for Nebraska landscapes include some great large shrubs! Though not considered columnar options, these shrubs would be thick enough to create a screen, even in the winter, as they have very dense branching. And, of course, they have much more ecological value with blooms and fruit!
Arrowwood Viburnum fall color.
- Autumn Magic Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic’)
- Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
- Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
Final Thoughts: Think Beyond Arborvitae
While arborvitae has become a default screening plant in many landscapes, Nebraska’s climate demands hardier, more adaptable options. Fortunately, there are many trees and shrubs that provide privacy while contributing to a healthy, more diverse landscape.
Choosing native or well-adapted species not only reduces maintenance headaches — it also supports pollinators, birds, and local ecosystems.
Ready to explore your options? Browse our online shop or visit Great Plains Nursery to learn more about screening shrubs and trees for your space.
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