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American Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis


Hardiness Zones: 3 - 7   View Map
  • Features tiny, scale-like leaves that are packed closely together in overlapping rows on branchlets, displaying in a flattened, fan-like spray; the leaves change from bright green in the summer to a multitude of rich yellow-brown-green hues in the winter
  • Adapts well to shearing and shaping
  • Releases a pleasing aroma when leaves are squeezed
  • Yields light brown or reddish-brown oblong cones that are ⅜–½" long and persist through winter; cone scales are blunt-tipped and separate from each other at the base
  • Can be planted 3' apart for a low-maintenance hedge
  • Grows in a pyramidal shape

Tree Details

Shape

Pyramidal

Growth Speed

Slow to Medium

Scientific Name

Thuja occidentalis

Mature Height

40' - 60'

Mature Spread

10' - 15'

Shipping Height

6" - 1'

Highlights

This native evergreen is a hard-working, versatile specimen. The narrow, pyramid shape makes it a natural choice for windbreaks. It requires almost no care when used as a hedge or screen. Pairs of these hardy trees make great accents for doors and garden gates. And single trees soften house corners.

Tall and elegant, the American arborvitae may be the right solution to your landscaping challenges.

Sun Preference

Full Sun

Soil Preference

Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Silty Loam, Well Drained, Wet

Wildlife Value

Providing shelter in the winter and nesting sites for grackles, robins and house finches in the summer, this evergreen is also browsed by deer, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares and an occasional moose. The seeds are eaten by red squirrels and birds such as pine siskins.

History/Lore

The name arborvitae, is a Latin form of the French, "l'arbre de vie," which means, "tree of life." Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who assigned the Latin name to this species, picked up on other traits. The genus name, Thuja, is from a Greek word for perfume. Squeezing the evergreen leaves releases an aroma that is nothing less than nature's perfume.

America arborvitae was useful in early canoes and medicines and became the first North American tree to be introduced to Europe. The specific name, occidentalis, means "west," the direction from Sweden where this tree was discovered.

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