Eastern Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Cupressaceae · coniferous tree · native
Last updated
Data Coverage 4 of 6 dimensions
Eastern arborvitae (American arborvitae) is a conifer native to eastern and central North America. It reaches 40 ft with a conical form, fine foliage texture, and brown cones. It has reddish-brown bark fissured into narrow ridges and grows as a single-stem tree.
Eastern arborvitae is hardy in zones 4a-9b and tolerates sun to part shade with wet-tolerant, alkaline soils (pH 5.2-7.0). It grows slowly with low maintenance and is notably tolerant of clay, wet soil, and urban conditions. The essential oil in foliage is poisonous if ingested in large doses.
Quick Facts
Height
40 ft
Spread
16 ft
Growth Rate
Slow
Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil
Wet Tolerant
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 4a–9b
Bloom Time
Non-flowering
Origin
USDA Zone (2)3 The species is native from eastern to
Phenological Calendar
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| New growth flush BBCH 11 | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | Apr 1-Apr 30 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | Apr 15-May 15 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
Diseases (12)
Abiotic (environmental stress) Black Flagging Symptom category — not a single disease Root Rot Seiridium cardinale Seiridium Canker Diaporthe vaccinii or Diplodia tip blight agents Tip Blight Diaporthe vaccinii Twig Blight Fungal growth Coniophora Growth Didymascella thujina Leaf Blight (Keithia Blight) Stem decay Pencil Rot (Brown Pocket Rot) Stem decay Stem Decay Perreniporia subacida Yellow Root Rot Phytophthora lateralis Port Orford cedar root rot Fungal agents (multiple) Leaf Blight
Pests (14)
Various (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera) Borer Otiorhynchus spp. Root weevil Coccoidea Scale insect Tetranychidae Spider mite Scale Berckmann's Blight Cedar Flagging Shoot Tip Dieback Argyresthia cupressella Cypress tip moth Various (Buprestidae, Scolytinae) Flat Headed And Shothole Borers Carulaspis juniperi Juniper scale Juniper fall-webworm Various (Agromyzidae, Gracillariidae, Tenthredinidae) Leafminer Physokermes piceae Spruce bud scale
Cultivars (5)
'Golden Globe'
Common name: Golden Globe Arborvitae; Mature height: 3–5 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
'Hetz Midget'
Common name: Hetz Midget Arborvitae; Mature height: 3–4 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
'Rheingold'
Common name: Rheingold Arborvitae; Mature height: 4–5 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
'Yellow Ribbon'
Common name: Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae; Mature height: 8–10 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
'Smaragd'