Home and Landscape
Arborvitae
- Platycladus orientalis, Thuja occidentalis
- Family Cupressaceae (Cypress family)
Plant Identification
Arborvitaes are evergreen trees or shrubs, often shaped into cones or cylinders. Leaves are yellowish green and needlelike. Younger leaves are soft and feathery, while older leaves are more scalelike. Arborvitaes produce small bluish green cones that turn a brownish color.
Optimum conditions for growth
Arborvitaes are often grown along walkways as hedges. They grow well in areas with full sun but need partial shade in very hot climates. Arborvitaes need regular or moderate amounts of water and do best in well-drained soils.
