24 Types of Arborvitae: Dwarf, Giant & Ornamental Varieties

Overview

The name “ arborvitae ” derives from Latin for “ tree of life ” and have-to doe with to several conifers of the cypress family native to North America and Asia . The two American coinage , the eastern and giant arborvitae , are , in their unwarranted descriptor , more unremarkably known as northerly white cedar ( Thuja occidentalis ) and westerly red cedar ( genus Thuja plicata ) , respectively . Both are popular landscaping shrubs and tree , often employed as thick - pack hedges or strikingly conelike garden landmarks .

vulgar diverseness of arborvitae develop as narrow pyramids , becoming magniloquent , elegant , treelike bush that can reach a height of 40 to 50 feet in their aboriginal environment and 10 to 12 feet in urban options . Their foliage have a scaly aerofoil and are set into flattened sprays on the plant ’s twig , with leaves all in one plane . In bitchiness of their scaly coming into court , however , the leaves are quite soft when touched . Arborvitaes are commonly used as hedges or screens , although a few specimens make good accent plants in bed or margin .

Arborvitaes are monoicous , which means that the tiny pollen - bear male cones and slightly large seed - deport distaff cones are produced on the same tree diagram . Spring pollenation is effected by the wind and results in the atrophy of the manful cones and the early - spill maturement of the female cones , which move around from greenish yellow to brown , culminate in the release of modest , winged seeds that are also disperse by the lead .

Depending on the coinage and change , arborvitae is comparatively low maintenance . Arborvitae industrial plant opt fecund , well - drained yet dampish soil of alkaline pH , although they are adaptable plants and can support poor , jumpy or flaxen soil . They need full to fond sun and do poorly in full wraith , becoming open and leggy without sufficient Inner Light .

Types And Cultivars of Arborvitaes

Types of Arborvitae

All arbovitae species are popularlandscaping shrub and trees , often hire as dense - packed hedges or strikingly conical garden landmarks . The five common species or types of arborvitae tree diagram ( Thuja ) are :

American Arbovitae

Thuja occidentalis , also get it on as northern whitened cedar , easterly white cedar , or American arborvitae is a small or medium - sized tree , growing to a superlative of 15 - 20 feet tall . The barque is red - browned , furrowed and peels in minute , longitudinal strips . American arbovitae has fan - same branch and scaly leaves . The leafage forms in flat sprays with scale - like parting which are usually succulent light , medium or dark green , and with attractive cones . The plant typically keep their foliage nearly all the way to the cornerstone of the proboscis , giving the works a formal , thick visual aspect .

Northern white cedar tree or tree of life , is a mainstay in the natural state and in landscapes , hedges , windbreaks and outside containers throughout its hardiness zone . sluttish to assert and resistant to most pests and disease . The tree diagram are vulnerable to drouth during their former years and prefer planting sites with full sun or fond nicety and moist , well - drained , deep , calcareous or Ca - racy dirt with a pH of 6.5 to 7.3 .

Giant Arbovitae

Thuja whale ( genus Thuja plicata ) , also know as western red true cedar or elephantine arborvitae , is native to northern California , grow in both coastal and pot arena . Thuja plicata leave resemble scales , arising almost straight off from the outgrowth without discernable stems . Leaves are soft and usually a bright green , especially when freshly opened . They have a pleasant but slightly medicinal aroma when bent or crushed .

Giant arborvitae grow 50 to 70 feet tall and 10 to 15 foot extensive , depending on the cultivar and grow conditions . It can hand several hundred feet in the wild . It ’s contour is loosely conical toward the bottom and much narrow at the top , with throw crimson bark , and small , half - column inch cone .

genus Thuja giants are versatile landscaping plants . In large cubic yard or rural region , they can be used as a undivided specimen tree or planted in a row for an effective shelterbelt . Planting genus Thuja plicata along a staggered delimitation is one of the best way to reach a heavyset , lush screen . gargantuan thuja ’s main problems are bark beetles , canker disease and poor water management .

Korean arborvitae

Korean arborvitae ( Thuja koraiensis ) is a large , 15 - 17 feet - tall shrub with foliage that is made up of frond - like sprays that are sea - immature or yellow - green in color above and a Ag - whitened underneath . This , along with a sullen Brown University , peeling bark gives the Korean Cedar a striking appearing . The foliage is very aromatic and smells of almonds when crushed . Korean Cedar is extremely hardy and baulk exposure well , as it grow of course in the pot of North - East Asia . you’re able to imbed them alongside walkways , patio and doors where brush by them releases a fresh , cedarlike odor .

Korean arborvitae bush generally grow well in territory of any eccentric , provided it ’s well - drain . They evolve their strongest semblance in full Sunday but can also suffer fond shade for part of each day . In areas with stiff , hot summer sun , providing some shade in the good afternoon can help prevent scorching of the bush ’s leaves .

Korean arborvitae shrubs are generally disease - free plant . However , they are susceptible to bagworms , larval insects that hang from branches in their cone - shaped bags and provender on foliage and vernal arm .

Japanese arborvitae

Thuja standishii(Japanese thuja ) is native to southern Japan , where it occurs on the island of Honshū and Shikoku . It is a medium - sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , reaching 20–35 m magniloquent and with a trunk up to 1 chiliad diameter . These evergreen plant plant life have scalelike leaf and continue their branch clear-cut to the ground even when mature , giving them good reportage as hedgerow plants .

The foliage kind in flat sprays with scale - comparable entrust 2–4 mm long , matte green above , and with minute white stomatal banding below . Bark is cherry brown and fibrous . Sprays of foliage are flattened and rounded , with the ultimate branchlets alternately dress .

Nipponese arbovitae grow well in loamy soil but will tolerate mud and sandy grease , too . In very hot field , the plant may need to receive some good afternoon shade . Otherwise , they can acquire in full sunlight to fond shade , in highly acidic to slightly alkaline ground .

Sichuan Arborvitae

genus Thuja sutchuenensis , the Sichuan thuja , is a mintage of Thuja , native to China , where it is an endangered local endemic disease in Chengkou County , on the southern incline of the Daba Mountains . It grow to heights of 30 to 65 feet tall with a luggage compartment up to 1 understructure ( 0.3 m ) in diameter at breast height . The bark color pasture from brilliant reddish Robert Brown to grayish brown , furrowed , fibrous , and undress in little , curly flakes . The crown is narrowly conical , with upwardly tip to horizontal branches bearing horizontal to more or less drooping branchlets .

Sichuan arborvitae is a dissolute growing , which is an advantage if you are hear to grow a privacy hedge or windbreak . Make certain you take into consideration the size of matured sichuan arborvitae before you plant to allow for enough space between plants at maturity .

Sichuan arborvitae are inflexible and require little pruning to wield their naturally - pass ornamental form , making them ideal for gardeners who require a depressed - alimony evergreen . Even though they require little in the way of shaping care , yearly maintenance and pruning can keep your arborvitae looking its best . Prune or shape your arborvitae during spring , after the threat of icing has passed .

Cultivars of Arborvitaes

Arborvitae has more than 40 cultivar , including columnar , pear-shaped and conical forms , and different height plants . Ordinarily slow - growing , some varieties of arborvitae are faster - growing . Although green is the most common foliage color , some arborvitae cultivars have leaf ranging from golden to Cu . Once planted , arborvitae are modest - maintenance shrubs but do expect some tending to stay healthy .

Pyramid Arborvitaes

Pyramidal Arborvitae is a fast - growing , tall , and narrow arborvitae pyramidal evergreen with bright dark-green , soft - textured foliage . This tall arborvitae evergreen requires little or no passementerie to maintain its minute course .

This is a comparatively low maintenance Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . When pruning is necessary , it is recommend to only prune back the Modern development of the current season , other than to remove any dieback . It has no significant disconfirming characteristics .

Pyramidal Arborvitae is recommended for the follow landscape program ;

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis ‘ Smaragd ’ ) is a fuss - free tree . Growing in a sunny spot and average territory , this pyramid - shaped evergreen requires regular lachrymation only to provide glossy - gullible leaf all year round .

Emerald Green Arborvitae develop better in well - drain , impersonal or alkaline , damp loam territory and in spots that are shelter from unattackable winds . For the densest foliage , produce the tree in a full - sun site and do n’t allow the soil around a newly planted tree diagram to dry out out , or the leaves may drop . Emerald Green Arborvitae boom in areas that have unconstipated rainfall . In red-hot climates , the tree diagram benefits from promiscuous afternoon shade .

Hertz Wintergreen

Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae is a multi - cauline evergreen tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit . Its mediocre grain blends into the landscape , but can be balance by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition .

Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae is recommended for the following landscape applications ;

Giant Green Arborvitae

Green Giant ’ is a hybrid evolve from a hybridizing between the conifer Nipponese arborvitae ( Thuja standishii ) and westerly red cedar ( Thuja plicata ) . Growing up to 4 pes yearly , it speedily develop into a matured Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , top out at 60 feet marvelous and up to 30 animal foot wide . thick , sullen - green , receptive sprays of scale - like foliage shape into a unbent , Pyramids of Egypt - work form , exchange to a slight bronze during wintertime and developing small , half - column inch seed cones .

‘ Green Giant ’ is drouth patient of once shew , but needs weekly piddle applications during its first year of growth and while it shew itself . Though it tolerates drouth , regular applications of piddle , specially during the hot summertime months , further the honest maturation .

Brandon Arborvitaes

Brandon Arborvitae is a thick multi - stemmedevergreen treewith a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit . Its relatively o.k. grain sets it apart from other landscape industrial plant with less refined foliation .

Brandon Arborvitae is recommended for the come landscape painting diligence ;

Wareana Arborvitae

Wareana is a dumb , pyramidal selection of arborvitae with stout ascend branches and thick , short , mostly vertically arranged compressed branchlet of common , dingy - gullible foliage that does not run to bronze in winter . After 10 years of growth , a mature specimen will measure 8 to 10 feet ( 2.5 – 3 m ) tall and 6 to 8 foot ( 1.75 – 2.5 m ) astray , an annual growth charge per unit of 1 foot ( 30 centimetre ) or less .

Techny Arbovitae

The Techny arborvitae is a cultivar of bloodless cedarwood that was train in Techny , Illinois . It is also called a delegacy arborvitae . Techny arborvitae are an evergreen that can maturate to 15 feet tall and 8 feet panoptic . It can tolerate bed wetter locations , and should not be planted in exceedingly dry locations without frequent watering . Techny Arborvitae is great for creating a survive fencing and provides upstanding , year - round screening .

Techny ’s compact , upright pyramidal shape provide an excellent accent or backdrop for other planting , and you’re able to easily cut it to your desire shape . The Techny Arborvitae is one of the most intrepid of the Arborvitae , withstanding more cold and drought than other Arborvitaes . It can even survive in a pot on your patio . No penury for you to even mulch it as it drop its yr ’s previous growing in the fall .

Holmstrup Arborvitae

This dumbly branched , compact , course narrow and conical evergreen has a neat , formal show . It is slow - growing and will take 10 old age to reach 10 substructure tall and 2.5 feet wide . The leaf is attractive with scale - similar leaves in dense horizontal sprays that hold their color well through winter . The bod is a minute pyramidical bod .

The dense form of this evergreen plant is impressive planted in a row along the bound of the garden or along the movement . It lends a formal facial expression to the garden , and makes a good foil to bush with a more free-and-easy pattern . imbed severally , it make a fine statement . It is also adaptable to various stain type but prefers moist well - drain loam . Use this tree in cornerstone planting , as a hedging , or as a focal point in modest gardens .

picayune gem arbovitae

‘ Little Gem ’ is a dwarf Arborvitae cultivar that is dense , flatten , and broadly globular . It broadly speaking matures to only about 3′ magniloquent and up to 6′ astray over the first 10 twelvemonth . It holds its dark-skinned green color in wintertime although it sometimes become to bronze - similar Color . This plant is frequently damaged by deer .

slight Gem Arborvitae is recommended for the following landscape program ;

Woodwardii Globe Arborvitae

Woodwardii‘arborvitae is a slowly - uprise , ball-shaped selection of Arborvitae that will become broadly rounded with age . It is typical though its upright piano branching that hold flattened spraying of medium green leaf . After 10 old age of increment , a matured specimen will measure 3 to 4.5 invertebrate foot marvellous and 3 to 4 feet wide , an annual growing rate of 4 to 6 column inch .

Woodwardii Arborvitae is recommended for the following landscape painting software ;

Rheingold Arborvitae

Rheingold arborvitae is one of the most popular selections of Arborvitae in landscaping . It is classifiable when vernal through its obtuse globose form with coppery - yellow juvenile foliage . In summer , the color is more golden - yellow , while wintertime fetch out the substantial coppery overtones . Its best color develops when planted in full sun . musical scale - like foliage appears in monotonous , fan - shaped clusters . As it matures it develop more scale - like foliage and a more upright conic form , gain 6 pes tall and 4.5 feet panoptic in 10 years .

The shrub is adaptable to unlike soil types and acidulousness but prefers moist well - drained loam in Sunday to light shade with some shelter from the air current . It may be used as a foundation industrial plant , in borders , or mass plantings . cervid will shop this bush .

Also Read : dispute Between Evergreen And Deciduous Trees

Hertz Midget Arborvitae

Hetz Midget ’ Arborvitae is a dwarf evergreen plant plant . The form is more globose than conical , usually individual trunked , and it slowly reach out 3 - 4 feet tall and more or less all-inclusive . The scale - like foliation is arranged in heavy categorical layered nebuliser . A very adaptable , problematical , durable plant .

This bright lowly arborvitae is exceptional in limited urban center garden and courtyard with trying conditions as little hedge or spherical black-tie accents . This form is exceptional for unembellished modernistic design gently lop to geometric perfection . Use in beds and border to sum up pursuit for the winter calendar month , especially under coke , when all else is bare . Adapts beautifully to waste and rock garden where they are particular . A trouble solver for formal gardens in teetotal climate of the Southwest where boxwood and other coniferous tree suffer . Makes a ok container foliage plant for porch , patio and bench .

Amber Gold Arborvitae

A spectacular upright evergreenshrub for base landscapes , maintains a obtuse , compact shape without pruning , boast stunning icteric foliage that turns amber - gold in winter . This beautiful bush does well in full sun , but will endure some light good afternoon tincture . Arborvitae need cryptical tearing in summer month and has medium lachrymation requirements once establish .

Variegated Silver Crested Arborvitae

Variegated silver crest arbovitae is a tumid , fast - growing , tree variant of hiba arborvitae with species - distinctive grade and branching , and attractive creamy white diversification that is fairly stable . The diversification and reduce chlorophyll answer in slimly slower emergence when compared with the species . After 10 years of growth , a mature specimen will mensurate 6 feet ( 2 m ) tall and 4.5 feet ( 1.5 m ) wide , an yearly emergence rate of 6 to 8 inch ( 15 – 20 cm ) .

Aurea Nana arbovitae

Aurea Nana ’ has a similar growth riding habit to its congener , conical and columnlike , only on a smaller scale . hit only 2- to 5 - feet in height and 2- to 4 - feet in width , this attractive evergreen check in perfectly in small urban spaces . The evergreen foliage of ‘ Aurea Nana ’ will have a bronze tinge during the winter months as a reception to cold-blooded temperatures . This fine-looking shrub does well in full sun , but will suffer some tripping good afternoon nicety . Arborvitae require deep watering in summertime months and has medium watering requirements once established .

Planting Arborvitae Tree

take a location in your yard that recieves 3 to 6 hours of direct sun per day with evenly damp soil . You need to amend your soil with some compost to further help your arborvitae tree to institute . When you are ready to imbed dig a hole that is around twice a wide-cut as the rootball and just as rich . Remove your plant life from its container and gently post in the marrow of the kettle of fish backfilling to secure your plant in place . Mulch around your arbovitae making sure to leave a duad of inches between the start of the mulch and the base of operations of your plant . This will shrink issues in the future . After establish piddle your flora deeply making sure the area surrounding the rootball is fully saturated .

Also Read : Different Types of Juniper Trees

Common Problems That Are Associated With Growing Arborvitaes

Arborvitae plants are susceptible to several insect plague , especially bagworms , the larvae of a vulgar moth that build sluttish bags to cover their torso , attaching the bag to arborvitae twigs . The larvae feed on the plant ’s foliage through spring and summertime , potentially doing serious damage . Bagworms can be hand - cull from smaller plants , and insecticidal spray labeled for home use can be applied to larger plant life .

Leaf mineworker and scale insect may also feast on arborvitae , but these can also be controlled with appropriate sprays . Deer may feed on arborvitae , specially on the lower leg , potentially interfering with the plant ’s of course symmetric shape . In domain susceptible to moth-eaten winter atmospheric condition , the plant ’s flexible branch may be deformed by the weight of snow and chicken feed .

Conclusion

Arborvitae has matt , scale - like foliage , which is usually a riotous light , medium or dark green , and attractive cone cell . The plants typically maintain their foliage nearly all the way to the base of the luggage compartment , giving the plants a conventional , dense appearance .

Overview#

Types And Cultivars of Arborvitaes#

Types of Arborvitae#

American Arbovitae#

Giant Arbovitae#

Korean arborvitae#

Japanese arborvitae#

Sichuan Arborvitae#

Cultivars of Arborvitaes#

Planting Arborvitae Tree#

Common Problems That Are Associated With Growing Arborvitaes#

Conclusion#