How to Care Arborvitaes

Western red cedar 'Atrovirens' is a Western red cedar cultivar, noted for its slightly slower growth rate than its parent plant, as well as its more slender shape. The foliage of this cultivar is somewhat darker and glossier than other western red cedar 'Atrovirens' cultivars, hence the name ("atrovirens" translates as "very dark green").

Thuja koraiensis, also called Korean arborvitae, is a species of Thuja, native to Korea and the extreme northeast of China (Changbaishan). Its current status is poorly known; the small population in China is protected in the Changbaishan Nature Reserve, as is the small population in Soraksan Nature Reserve in northern South Korea, but most of the species' range in North Korea is unprotected and threatened by habitat loss. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 3–10 m tall. The foliage forms flat sprays with scale-like leaves 2–4 mm long (up to 15 mm long on strong-growing shoots), matt dark green above, and with broad, vivid white stomatal wax bands below. The cones are oval, yellow-green ripening red-brown, 7–11 mm long and 4–5 mm broad (opening to 6–9 mm broad), with 8-12 overlapping scales. It is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree for the contrast between the green upper and bright white lower sides of the foliage, though planting is limited by the low availability of seeds.

Arborvitae 'Rheingold' is a slow-growing, dwarf, cone-shaped shrub that offers beautiful bright golden, fan-shaped clusters of foliage that turn bronze-yellow in winter. It is a cultivar of the Arborvitae tree and is named for its golden colors. It is favored for its durability and small height - at maturity, it is only 1.5 m tall.

Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a small- to medium-sized evergreen conifer native to North America, and can be found in a variety of environments, including forested wetlands and along cliffs. Essential oils are produced using northern white cedar, and it also finds use as an ornamental plant. Due to its increasing popularity in landscaping, more compact plants have been used to develop smaller strains.

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is a cedar tree species native to the western United States. Despite its name, the western red cedar is not considered a true cedar. Instead, it belongs to the Cypress family. This species is commercially used to make decks, siding, and the soundboards of guitars.

Arborvitae 'Holmstrup' grows in a dense, columnar shape with sprays of rich green foliage that retains their color through the winter. It is a cultivar of the Arborvitae tree and is named for the city of Holmstrup, in Denmark, where it was bred. Gardeners favor it is low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and responds well to shearing and shaping.

Arborvitae 'Janed Gold' is a vibrant evergreen conifer with a distinctive golden-yellow foliage that becomes more pronounced in full sun. Its conical shape and scaled leaves are common to its species, but the bright hue makes it a striking specimen in landscapes. Tolerant of cold, arborvitae 'Janed Gold' displays resilience in various soils, requiring minimal care to maintain its compact, radiant appearance.

It is a medium-sized tree, reaching 20 to 35 m tall and with a trunk up to 1 m diameter. The foliage forms in flat sprays with scale-like leaves 2 to 4 mm long, matte green above, and with narrow white stomatal bands below. The cones are oval, yellow-green ripening red-brown, 6 to 12 mm long and 4 to 5 mm broad (opening to 8 mm broad), with 6–10 overlapping scales.

Xanthocyparis is a genus of cypresses in the family Cupressaceae, comprising one species native to North America and one native to Vietnam in southeast Asia.

Fujian Cypress includes only one species. Fujian Cypress is an evergreen tree, 25 to 30 m tall. It has greyish-brownish bark. The leaves are arranged in flattened branchlet systems, with the branchlets in one plane. The leaves on adult trees are in opposite decussate pairs, glossy green above, and with white stomatal bands below. The male cones are oval or cylindrical, terminal on the shoots. The female cones are much larger, globose or sub-globose. There are two winged seeds on each scale. They are angular and pointed. Fujian Cypress is native to Asia.

Cypresses are a group of coniferous, evergreen trees. Though their wood is not of particular commercial value, many species are used ornamentally, tending to do well in warm-temperate parks and gardens. In the Hellenic culture of ancient times, these trees were believed to be sacred to the gods. Unfortunately, all cypresses release massive quantities of pollen which are extremely allergenic to humans.

Glyptostrobus, is a small genus of conifers in the family Cupressaceae. Glyptostrobus includes only one species. Glyptostrobus is a medium-sized to large tree, reaching 30 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.006 m, possibly more. The leaves are deciduous, spirally arranged. The cones are green maturing yellow-brown, pear-shaped, broadest near the apex. They open when mature to release the small, winged seeds. Glyptostrobus is native to subtropical southeastern China, and also very locally in Vietnam and Laos.

Athrotaxis are important timber trees, used for construction, paper making, and resin production. Did you know that some species of pines can live for over 1,000 years and their needles can be used to make tea?

Southern incense-cedar is a genus of five species of coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to New Zealand and New Caledonia. The leaves are scale-like, in apparent whorls of four. The cones have just 2 pairs of moderately thin, erect scales, each scale with a distinct spine, and bearing two winged seeds on the inner face.

They are large shrubs or trees, reaching 5 to 20 m tall. The leaves are evergreen and scale-like, except on seedlings, which have needle-like leaves. The adult scale leaves are arranged in decussate opposite pairs in four rows along the twigs, while the juvenile needle leaves are arranged spirally. The male cones are small, and are located at the tips of the twigs. The female cones start out similarly inconspicuous, globular to ovoid, with four, thick, woody scales, arranged in two opposite pairs. There are four species, all native to southern Africa.

Cypresses are a genus of conifer plants that are valued for their highly scented wood. The wood of some species is used for temple construction in Japan and other construction purposes worldwide. These plants are also ideal for hedges and rock gardens due to their ornamental characteristics. They differ from true cypress by their smaller size, rounded congress, and fewer seeds.