Thuja Occidentalis

Northern White-Cedar (American Arborvitae)

Identification
The American Arborvitae is
a coniferous evergreen tree
with scale-like leaves
measuring 1/32 - 1/4” long
with a bright green topside
and a pale green underside.
Branchlets are alternate,
compressed, and flat; leaves
spread horizontally.
Native Range
Its native range is that of
southeastern Canada, New
England, the Great Lake
States and parts of the
Southern Appalachian
Mountains. It will grow in
hardiness zones 3 through 7
but may not reach full size
in zone 7.
Growth Characteristics

Growing 30 to 60’ tall and

10 to 15’ wide, it is a
medium-sized tree with thin
reddish-brown bark and
dense foliage which often
forms in a broad-pyramidal
shape with short ascending
branches.
Culture
Grows best in deep, well
drained soil. Often found in
marshy loam. May grow off
rock formations. Requires
full sun. Once established,
are very resilient to heat,
drought, wind, and snow.
Long living, up to 1600
years old.
Flowers and Fruit
Cones are 1/3 to 1/2” long,
yellowish green when
young and light brown
when mature. Cones
typically consist of 8 to 10
scales.
Flowers are solitary, smaller
than 1/32”, and positioned
terminally.
History and Uses
Important to the Ojibwe Culture, known as the Nookomis Giizhik (Grandmother Cedar) it
was and is used for crafts, construction, and medicine. It is commercially used for rustic
fencing and posts, cabin logs, lumber, poles, and shingles; and is the preferred wood for
making birchbark and wooden canoes. The foliage is rich in vitamin C and is often used in
teas which are said to relieve constipation and headaches. The highly fragrant oils are
often used to make perfumes, household cleaners and candles.
Ecological Interactions

Subject to bagworm, heart

rot, leaf miner, and spider
mites.
Common winter food
source for deer. Deer
browsing often causes
undesirable appearance as a
landscape plant.
Fun Fact
In the Winter of 1535-1536,
Jacques Cartier and his crew
were cured of scurvy when
they learn, from natives,
that the foliage of the
Arborvitae is rich in
Vitamin C. This would lead
to its name, meaning tree of
life in Latin.