Thuja occidentalis

Plant Type Tree
Evergreen, Needles or needle-like leaf

Form Conical evergreen

Climate Zones 2a to 7b

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring

Growth Rate Slow

Mature Height 25 to 50 feet

Mature Spread 10 to 15 feet

Environment Partial shade to Full sun
Moist to Wet soil
Tolerates moderate drought
Tolerates flooding

Soil Alkaline, Neutral, Acidic, Clay, Sandy, Well drained, Loamy, Slightly alkaline, Adaptable

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color No change in color, Not showy

Attributes Wetlands plant
North American native
Deer resistant
Attracts birds
Inconspicuous flowers or blooms
Dense crown
Highly flammable

Uses Specimen
Massing
Screen
Large scale planting


Native Habitat Swamps of eastern North America

Culture Notes Transplanting is moderately easy if plants are root-pruned and either balled and burlapped or potted. White-Cedar likes high humidity and tolerates wet soils and some drought, but not salt exposure of any kind. The foliage turns brownish in winter, especially on cultivars with colored foliage and on exposed sites open to the wind. Many of the natural stands in the United States have been cut. Some remain in isolated areas along rivers throughout the East. Good survival in ice storms.

Foliage turns brown with the onset of cold winter temperatures. Some of the cultivars retain their green foliage well into winter.

Dwarf Thuja occidentalis makes a good rock garden tree.


Pests and Diseases Pests: Arborvitae leaf miner mines out the leaf tips, causing them to turn brown. Scales of several types infest the stems and foliage. Mites cause yellowing and speckling of the foliage. Bagworms can devour large quantities of foliage very quickly.
Diseases
Leaf blight causes brown spots on the leaves in late spring.