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| Identification |
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Genus
Thuja
Species
occidentalis
Variety
Cultivar
Common names
western arborvitae
white cedar
American arborvitae
Family
CUPRESSACEAE
Specimen number
S13818
Data source
Allergy p257;HtZn p175;MedPl p274;Frgnt p115;Frgnt p315
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| Life cycle |
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Life form
Terrestrial
Life cycle
Various
Life span
Annual cycle
Not applicable
Stature
Tree
Growth form
Not applicable
Growth habit
Various
Overall height
3' - 30'
Overall spread
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| Climate |
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Sunshine
Full sun to light shade
Water
Moist, well drained
Optimal soil texture
Fertile
Acceptable soil pH
Neutral
USDA hardiness
USDA zones 03a-08b
AHS heat zones
Heat zones 09-02
Sunset climate zones
Not classified
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| Garden |
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Suitable for gardens
yes
Nursery
Unknown
Compost
no
Size at acquisition
Unknown
Garden location
Unknown
Garden notes
Thuja occidentalis has leaves that are strongly resinous. American arborvitae (also known as western arborvitae and white cedar) can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -40� Fahrenheit. It needs a bit of a cold spell with temperatures below 15� Fahrenheit to do its best. This plant needs summer days with high heat. The optimal soil texture for this species is one that is fertile. This plant does best in full sun to light shade. It does well in moist, well drained soils.
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| Special qualities |
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Tolerates drought
no
Tolerates high humidity
no
Tolerates seaside conditions
no
Insect resistant
no
Disease resistant
no
Deer resistant
no
Best uses
Symbiosis
Attracts butterflies
no
Attracts hummingbirds
no
Autumn foliage
no
Colorful berries
no
Desirable qualities
Other interest
Other interest color
Other interest period
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| Adverse factors |
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Common pests
Poisonous parts
Poisonous indications
Internal poison
no
Dermatologic poison
no
Livestock poison
no
Mechanical injury
no
Hay fever pollen
Light
Hay fever season
Apr 01 - May 31
Adverse qualities
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| Herbal medicine |
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Medicinal properties
antiviral
anticarcinogenic
expectorant
decongestant
emmenagogue
diuretic
Medicinal parts
Leaves
Has medicinal uses
yes
Do not self-administer
yes
Do no use if pregnant
yes
Legally restricted
no
Toxicity precautions
Medicinal notes
Thuja occidentalis has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as an antiviral, as an anticarcinogenic, as an expectorant and as a decongestant. See the medicinal properties section for the full list. American arborvitae (sometimes called western arborvitae and white cedar) should only be used under professional guidance. This plant is not to be taken by pregnant women. The plant parts used in herbal preparations are the leaves. Although this plant is freely wind-pollinated, it shouldn't pose too much difficulty to the hay fever susceptible. April to May is the usual season for causing hay-fever problems.
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| Traditional uses |
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Parts used
Traditional uses
Contemporary uses
Fragrance
scent of ripe strawberries. on hot days freely emits a scent of wild strawbe
Fragrance parts
Leaves
Fragrance intensity
Strong
Fragrance category
Resinous
Dye parts
Dye color
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| Cultivation |
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Propagule
Various
Pollination method
Planting style
Crop spacing
Row spacing
Cold frame
Planting period
Harvesting period
Frost tolerance
Heat requirement
Fertilizer
Typical
Time to harvest
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| Nutrition |
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Is edible
no
Culinary uses
Nutritional value
Edible parts
Description of edible parts
Flavor / texture
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| Horticulture |
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Horticulture notes
Thuja occidentalis is a wildflower that occurs throughout Appalachia.
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| Herbarium |
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Tag needs printing
no
Collection notes
Leaves: Thuja occidentalis has needlelike leaves.
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Page 4671 of 4998
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