This medium sized coniferous tree has flat spreading branches with fern-like branchlets and forms a pyramidal habit. It has a small yellow-green scale like leaves turn bronze during autumn and the female green to brown cones appear during spring.

Hardiness zones 4 to 10

Thuja occidentalis is naturally found in eastern North America growing in deep well drained fertile moist soils including limestone based soils and thrives in marshy loams tolerating cold conditions. It prefers an open sunny position and is drought tender but frost tolerant.

White Cedar is grown for its habit and foliage. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a lawn specimen tree or along borders for screening and foliage contrast. It is suitable for low-mountain regions and establishes in 3 to 5 year and is long lived.  This tree is also grown commercially and the yellowish timber is similar to Western Red Cedar and is used in joinery and furniture. The small cultivars are grown in containers, rockeries or formal gardens and for colour contrast. ID 230

Thuja (Thoo-ya) occidentalis (ok-ki-den-TAH-lis)

“Thuja”, from Greek thyon, “a sacrifice” (referring to its resin, which was used as incense); “occidentalis”, Latin word for “western”, referring to its origin in the Americas.

Cupressaceae (kew-press-AY-see-ee)
Coniferous Trees