Thuja trees belong to the Cupressaceae family, which includes other conifers like cypress, juniper, and cedar. Within this family, the genus Thuja consists of five recognized species, with three native to North America (Thuja occidentalis, T. plicata, and T. standishii) and two from East Asia (T. koraiensis and T. sutchuenensis). These evergreen trees are commonly known as arborvitae, a name meaning “tree of life,” due to their historic medicinal uses and symbolic value.
Historically, Thuja trees were significant to Indigenous peoples of North America, especially those living in the Pacific Northwest. The wood and foliage of Thuja plicata (Western Redcedar) were used for building, crafting, and medicine. European settlers adopted the trees into ornamental and practical use in the 1700s and 1800s, especially valuing T. occidentalis (Eastern Arborvitae) for hedging and windbreaks.
Thuja trees are evergreen conifers with soft, flat, scale-like foliage arranged in fan-shaped sprays. The leaves can be dark green, bright green, or even golden depending on the variety, and they emit a pleasant cedar-like fragrance when crushed. Small, upright cones develop in fall, adding ornamental value. The bark is reddish-brown and often peels in strips.
Most Thuja trees have a naturally pyramidal form, making them ideal for structured landscaping. They range in size from small dwarf cultivars like ‘Danica’ and ‘Teddy’ (1–3 feet tall) to towering giants like Thuja plicata (up to 150 feet tall in the wild). This diversity makes them versatile in residential and commercial landscapes.
Thuja species typically have a moderate to fast growth rate, with some hybrids like ‘Green Giant’ growing up to 3 feet per year. Lifespan varies by species and environment, but many live for several decades, and T. plicata specimens in the wild can live over 1,000 years. Their longevity and reliable growth make them excellent long-term investments for landscapes.
Native ranges for Thuja trees differ: T. occidentalis grows in the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada; T. plicata is found from Alaska to northern California; and the Asian species are confined to mountainous forests in China, Korea, and Japan. Today, they are cultivated worldwide in temperate zones.
Most Thuja varieties thrive in USDA Zones 2 to 8, depending on the species and cultivar. They prefer well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil and full to partial sun. Once established, many are drought-tolerant and resilient to urban pollution, though some may need protection from extreme heat or winter burn.
In modern landscaping, Thuja trees are widely used as hedges, privacy screens, windbreaks, foundation plantings, and specimen trees. Their formal shape, year-round greenery, low maintenance needs, and adaptability have made them one of the most popular conifers in residential and public gardens alike.
Thuja Trees
Thuja occidentalis (Eastern Arborvitae)
Native to eastern North America, Thuja occidentalis is a foundational species in the Thuja genus. Known as Eastern or American Arborvitae, it features soft, flat, scale-like foliage and a narrow, pyramidal form. It is widely used in both natural woodlands and cultivated landscapes, prized for its adaptability, cold hardiness (USDA Zones 2–7), and long lifespan. The wood is lightweight, rot-resistant, and historically used by Indigenous peoples for canoe-making and medicinal purposes.
Thuja plicata (Western Redcedar)
Native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, Thuja plicata is a tall, majestic tree known as Western Redcedar. It can grow over 150 feet in the wild and is revered for its aromatic, decay-resistant wood, heavily used in shingles, siding, and indigenous carvings. The foliage is glossy green with a strong cedar scent, and the tree thrives in moist, forested environments (Zones 5–8).
Thuja standishii (Japanese Arborvitae)
Endemic to Japan, this lesser-known Thuja species is a tall conifer that thrives in mountain regions. It features soft, rich green foliage and a naturally pyramidal habit. Thuja standishii is often used in hybridization efforts, most notably in the creation of ‘Green Giant’. It is hardy in Zones 5–8 and contributes a strong fragrance and adaptability to its hybrids.
Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae)
Native to Korea and parts of China, this rare species has a more shrubby growth habit and silvery-white undersides to its leaves, giving it a distinctive bicolor appearance. It typically grows 10–20 feet tall and is best suited to ornamental plantings. Though not widely available, it is valued for its compact form and unique foliage.
Thuja sutchuenensis (Sichuan Arborvitae)
Once thought extinct, this rare species from China was rediscovered in the 1990s. It grows in mountainous Sichuan province and is now part of conservation efforts. Thuja sutchuenensis has a loose, irregular form and fragrant, scale-like leaves. Its rarity makes it more important for botanical interest than widespread landscaping.
Thuja ‘Green Giant’
A hybrid of Thuja standishii and Thuja plicata, ‘Green Giant’ is one of the most popular arborvitaes for hedging and privacy screens. It grows rapidly—up to 3 feet per year—and can reach 40–60 feet tall. Its rich green foliage is dense and fragrant, and it resists deer, pests, and diseases well. Hardy in Zones 5–8, it’s widely planted across the U.S.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ (Emerald Green)
‘Smaragd’, meaning “emerald” in Danish, is a cultivar of T. occidentalis known for its tight, columnar form and vibrant, year-round green foliage. It grows slowly to 12–15 feet and is excellent for small hedges and borders. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil, and is hardy from Zones 3–8.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Techny’
Developed in Techny, Illinois, this cultivar of T. occidentalis is known for its winter color retention and dense, pyramidal shape. It grows to about 15–20 feet and is widely used for windbreaks and privacy screens. It performs well in colder climates (Zones 3–7) and maintains a dark green color throughout the year.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’
‘Brandon’ is a narrow, upright cultivar ideal for cold northern climates. Reaching about 15–20 feet tall, it has a uniform, tight form and soft, bright green foliage. It’s commonly used in urban landscapes and parks in Zones 2–6. It also tolerates pruning well, making it suitable for formal hedges.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’
This cultivar is a slender, spiraling selection with twisted foliage and a very narrow form, growing up to 20 feet tall but only 3–4 feet wide. It’s ideal for tight spaces and formal gardens. Hardy in Zones 3–8, ‘Degroot’s Spire’ provides a sculptural element with minimal maintenance.
Thuja plicata ‘Zebrina’
A striking variety of Western Redcedar, ‘Zebrina’ has golden-yellow variegated foliage with green bands, resembling zebra stripes. It grows large—up to 30 feet—but is slower growing than other cultivars. Best suited for Zones 5–8, this tree makes a bold ornamental statement in the landscape.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’
This is a dwarf, globe-shaped cultivar that grows only 2–3 feet tall and wide. Its soft, fine-textured foliage is bright green, and it’s perfect for borders, rock gardens, or foundation plantings. ‘Hetz Midget’ thrives in Zones 3–8 and requires little pruning to maintain its neat shape.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Woodwardii’
Another rounded cultivar, ‘Woodwardii’ grows into a large globe, reaching about 5–6 feet in height and width. It is valued for its full, symmetrical form and bright green summer color. Hardy in Zones 3–7, it works well in mass plantings or low-maintenance landscapes.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’
Known for its deep, dark green foliage, ‘Nigra’ maintains excellent color through winter. It has a dense, upright growth habit and reaches 20–25 feet at maturity. This variety is frequently used in hedges and screens in Zones 3–7, especially where winter color is a concern.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Holmstrup’
A compact, upright cultivar that grows slowly to about 10–15 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide. It has tight, vertical branching and dark green, scale-like foliage. Ideal for smaller yards or low-maintenance landscapes, ‘Holmstrup’ is cold-hardy (Zones 3–7) and adapts well to urban conditions.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Fire Chief’
A standout for its colorful foliage, ‘Fire Chief’ is a compact, globe-shaped cultivar with bright golden-green leaves that turn orange-red in fall. It grows to just 3–4 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for small gardens, rockeries, and borders. This cultivar requires minimal pruning and thrives in Zones 5–8, offering visual interest throughout the year.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Teddy’
As the name suggests, ‘Teddy’ is a miniature, rounded dwarf arborvitae with a soft, fuzzy appearance. It grows very slowly, reaching only about 1–2 feet tall and wide, making it a charming choice for containers, rock gardens, or fairy gardens. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and is cold-hardy in Zones 3–7.
Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’
A unique and eye-catching cultivar, ‘Whipcord’ features long, glossy, cord-like foliage that drapes downward in a mop-like fashion. It is a dwarf, mounding plant that reaches around 4–5 feet tall and wide. This native of the Pacific Northwest is excellent for accent planting and offers year-round interest. It performs best in Zones 5–8.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’
‘Little Giant’ is another globe-shaped dwarf cultivar of Eastern arborvitae, known for its neat, rounded form and soft green foliage. It grows about 4 feet tall and wide, requiring no pruning to maintain its shape. This low-maintenance shrub is often used in foundation plantings, borders, or mass plantings in Zones 3–7.
Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’
This cultivar of Western Redcedar is favored for its vigorous growth, rich green foliage, and dense branching. It can reach 30–40 feet and maintains an attractive pyramidal shape. ‘Spring Grove’ is ideal for privacy screens and windbreaks, particularly in Zones 5–8, and is tolerant of both heat and humidity.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Danica’
‘Danica’ is a small, compact, globe-shaped arborvitae, prized for its tight form and bright green foliage. It grows very slowly, typically reaching 2 feet in height and width. Best suited for borders, containers, or small foundation plantings, ‘Danica’ is both cold-hardy (Zones 3–7) and exceptionally easy to maintain.