Thuja occidentalis
Description: The Emerald Green Arborvitae is a popular evergreen conifer with a narrow, pyramidal form. It can reach heights of up to 20 feet and typically spreads about 5 feet wide. Its compact and symmetrical shape makes it an excellent choice for use in landscapes as a privacy screen, hedge, or foundation plant.
Twig/Bark: Its dense foliage and upright branching structure create a natural screen that is frequently used for creating boundaries or providing privacy. As a hedge, it forms a dense, living wall that requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape and size.
Leaves: The tree features bright green, glossy, fan-shaped leaves that retain their vibrant color throughout the year, including the winter months when many other trees lose their foliage or dull in appearance. The finely textured leaves are arranged in flat sprays, giving the tree a soft and elegant look.
Flower/Fruit: It does not produce prominent flowers. Instead, it develops small, inconspicuous cones that are its reproductive structures. These scale-like cones are green when young, maturing to a brownish color as they age. These cones are rarely noticeable due to their small size and the fact that they blend seamlessly with the foliage.
Habitat: The Emerald Green Arborvitae is highly adaptable and can tolerate a range of environmental conditions. It is particularly resilient in both hot and humid climates, once established, and can withstand periods of drought. Cold-hardy down to -40°F, this tree can survive in extreme winter conditions, making it a reliable choice for a variety of regions. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils, although it can tolerate most soil types as long as proper drainage is available.