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You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Trees / Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae, Northern Whitecedar)

Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae, Northern Whitecedar)

Thuja occidentalis - foliage detail
Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald' in June
Thuja occidentalis in residential landscape in June
Thuja occidentalis 'Degroots Spire' in October
Arborvitae has fibrous, reddish-brown bark.
Thuja occidentalis - foliage detail

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Thuja occidentalis 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, Close-up of 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 Scale-like, dark green needles, paler below, in flat opposite branchlets look bronze in winter Yellow strobili mature to reddish-brown in August; may persist into winter Red-brown exfoliating bark on mature tree Attributes Tolerates clay soil, air pollution, and 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 and cover for birds Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained, alkaline Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Keep roots in cool, moist soil; likes light pm shade Protect from strong wind, snow, and ice damage; buy specimens with single rather than multiple trunks that may split apart from heavy snow/ice Use as specimen, hedge, or in rain gardens (>150 sq ft) Excellent Replacement for Cupresses x leylandii - Leyland Cypress Juniperus chinensis - Chinese Juniper Rhamnus cathartica - European Buckthorn Rhamnus frangula - Glossy (or Shining) Buckthorn Taxus cuspidata - Japanese Yew *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is not native to DC and DE. It occurs sporadically in PA. In MD, it is found in Montgomery and some of the northwestern counties. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and it is native to only one site in the Piedmont. Hardiness: USDA Zones 2–7 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 (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 and DE. It occurs sporadically in PA. In MD, it is found in Montgomery and some of the northwestern counties. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and it is native to only one site in the Piedmont. It is not native to NoVA.

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