AMERICAN ARBORVITAE - Thuja occidentalis

AMERICAN ARBORVITAE Thuja occidentalis

green Outstanding Features:
Winter color in the landscape, good plant habit.

Description:
Height: 15-25'
Width: 6-20'
Hardiness Zone: 3a

American Arborvitae is a dense, pyramidal evergreen tree that is native in moist sites in North America from Minnesota east. Main trunk often divides into several leaders. The branches with scale-like foliage are displayed in horizontal sprays. Fruit is a small (3/8") light brown cone. Native trees will get much larger than size listed above. Selected compact cultivars are usually planted in the landscape.

Requirements and Culture:
Needs a moist rich soil, somewhat tolerant to wet soils. Will tolerate light shade but will be more open in growth habit. Can be sheared readily.

Limitations:
Very susceptible to deer browsing in winter. Foliage of the species can turn an unattractive yellow-brown in winter. Cultivars have been selected that maintain a better winter color.

Selected Cultivars:
'Brandon' - has spire like growth with medium green foliage. Quite resistant to winter browning.

'Emerald'- compact pyramidal form to 15'. Retains green color in winter.

'Fastigiata'- has a narrow columnar growth habit. Foliage color is medium green.

'Hetz Wintergreen' - narrow columnar form with dark green foliage. Develops a strong central leader and therefore it resists damage from accumulation of ice or snow.

'Techny'- has dark green foliage and a broad pyrimidal habit. Smaller growing than the species. Maintains good winter color.

'Wareana' - extremely winter hardy cultivar with thick, leathery green foliage, tinged blue.

Photo Credit: 1 Bailey Nurseries, Inc.; 2 & 3 MLA. Photo 1 is 'Pete's Columnar' 2 is 'Techny'.

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