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Thuja occidentalis (American Arborvitae, Northern Whitecedar)

Thuja occidentalis - foliage detail
Native conifer Thuja occidentalis (American arborvitae) ovoid female cones at branchlet tips in August mature to red-brown and release seeds in fall. brown.Photo © André Karwath CC BY-SA 2.5
Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald' in June
Thuja occidentalis 'Degroots Spire' in October
Arborvitae has fibrous, reddish-brown bark.
Thuja occidentalis - foliage detail

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Thuja occidentalis American Arborvitae, Northern Whitecedar Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic This native tree of northeastern and north central North America* can be very long-lived; along the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in Canada, specimens couldbeover1,000yearsold. Thecommonname,whichmeans“treeoflife,” refers to the medicinal properties of the bark and foliage, which cured scurvy. Tree Hedge, Foliage Height: 20–60 feet Spread: 10–15 feet Bloom Color: Red-brown Characteristics Single- or multi-trunked evergreen tree with columnar or conical shape Opposite, scale-like, dark green needles, paler below, in flat branchlets look bronze in winter Male & female cones (strobili) occur on separate branchlet tips; ovoid seed cones mature to red- brown releasing seeds in fall; may persist into winter Red-brown exfoliating bark on mature tree Attributes Tolerates clay, wet soil, air pollution, Black Walnut No serious pests or diseases; deer frequently severely damage, especially in winter browsing twigs and branchlets (may need protection) Slow growing but can be very long-lived Ethnobotanic uses, but may be harmful if eaten Provides food & cover for birds & small mammals Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained, neutral to alkaline Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Excellent Replacement for Cupresses x leylandii - Leyland Cypress Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Juniperus chinensis - Chinese Juniper Rhamnus cathartica - European Buckthorn Keep roots in cool, moist soil; likes light pm shade Rhamnus frangula - Glossy (or Shining) Buckthorn Protect from strong wind, snow, and ice damage; select single-stemmed specimens as multiple trunks may split apart from heavy snow/ice Taxus cuspidata - Japanese Yew Use as specimen, hedge, or in rain gardens (>150 sq ft) *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is not native to DC or DE. It occurs sporadically in some of MD’s northwestern counties and in PA. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and is found in only one site in the Piedmont. It is not reported in NoVA. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–7b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Thuja occidentalis (American Arborvitae, Northern Whitecedar)

This native tree of northeastern and north central North America* can be very long-lived; along the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in Canada, specimens could be over 1,000 years old. The common name, which means “tree of life,” refers to the medicinal properties of the bark and foliage, which cured scurvy.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is not native to DC or DE. It occurs sporadically in some of MD’s northwestern counties and in PA. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and is found in only one site in the Piedmont. It is not reported in NoVA. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets