Arbor Vitae – Thuja occidentalis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen tree known for its scale-like leaves and small, woody cones.

Leaves: The leaves are scale-like, overlapping, and appear in flattened sprays.

Cones: It produces small, woody cones.

Bark: The bark is reddish-brown and fibrous.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands and along streams.

Distribution: Northern white cedar is native to North America.


Compact, pyramidal; height 50′ to 60′, diameter 24″ to 36″; trunk often twisted, strongly tapered, and frequently divided into two or more direct stems; branches short and nearly horizontal; sometimes forms almost impenetrable thickets because dead branches are very stiff and persistent; in the open, develops a conical, symmetrical crown. There are numerous ornamental or garden varieties of white cedar known as arborvitae.

Occurrence
Several larger specimens found around the edges of the farm yard.