Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Genus:
- Thuja
- Species:
- Thuja occidentalis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow, Green, Brown
Native Range
United States: Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Argyresthia aureoargentella, Argyresthia freyella, Bagworm moth (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis), brown hemlock needleminer (Coleotechnites thujaella), Canadian arborvitae leafminer (Argyresthia canadensis), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Cocoa Emerald (Ematurga amitaria), Dichomeris setosella, early zanclognatha (Zanclognatha cruralis), Eupithecia gibsonata, Eupithecia palpata, False hemlock looper (Nepytia canosaria), fragile anacamptodes moth (Anacamptodes fragilaria), Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Larch Pug (Eupithecia lariciata), 🛑Lemmer's noctuid moth (Lithophane lemmeri), Mournful Thorn (Lambdina fiscellaria), Porcelain Gray (Protoboarmia porcelaria), Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Semiothisa continuata, Semiothisa orillata, sparganothis fruitworm moth (Sparganothis sulfureana), Thuja Leafminer (Argyresthia thuiella), variegated midget (Elaphria versicolor)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers calcareous soils in native habitats
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 30 days
Source: npn.rngr.net