Northern Whitecedar
Thuja occidentalis
Also listed as Cupressus arborvitae, Cupressus nobleana
Also known as Eastern Whitecedar, Eastern Arborvitae, American Arborvitae
Climate Match for your location
See how well Northern Whitecedar grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A native North American conifer with soft, fine-textured foliage that turns bronze or brown in winter. Commonly used as a living screen, windbreak, or specimen tree in cool climates.
Why grow it
Northern whitecedar offers denser screening and faster growth than many broadleaf evergreen alternatives in cooler regions, making it practical for windbreaks and visual barriers in USDA zones 2-8. It tolerates wet soils better than many conifers, so it suits sites where drainage is limited. The soft foliage texture and moderate mature size (typically 40-60 feet tall, but many cultivars are much smaller) provide design flexibility compared to stiff or very large species.
Watch out for
Plants can develop sparse, thin foliage if crowded or shaded, so adequate air circulation and full sun are important for dense growth. Heavy snow or ice loads can bend or split branches, particularly in younger trees, so staking or judicious pruning may be needed in regions with severe winters. Avoid planting in compacted clay soils or areas with poor drainage despite the species' wetland tolerance, as poor site conditions compound pest pressure.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native North American conifer with soft, fine-textured foliage that turns bronze or brown in winter. Commonly used as a living screen, windbreak, or specimen tree in cool climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Northern Whitecedar grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Northern whitecedar offers denser screening and faster growth than many broadleaf evergreen alternatives in cooler regions, making it practical for windbreaks and visual barriers in USDA zones 2-8. It tolerates wet soils better than many conifers, so it suits sites where drainage is limited. The soft foliage texture and moderate mature size (typically 40-60 feet tall, but many cultivars are much smaller) provide design flexibility compared to stiff or very large species.
Watch out for
Plants can develop sparse, thin foliage if crowded or shaded, so adequate air circulation and full sun are important for dense growth. Heavy snow or ice loads can bend or split branches, particularly in younger trees, so staking or judicious pruning may be needed in regions with severe winters. Avoid planting in compacted clay soils or areas with poor drainage despite the species' wetland tolerance, as poor site conditions compound pest pressure.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.