Thuja occidentalis American arbor-vitae (Cupressaceae) Evergreen tree

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Thuja occidentalis
American arbor-vitae
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Thuja occidentalis plant species is found in Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Illinois and Minnesota. It is a member of the Cupressaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as American arbor-vitae.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Thuja occidentalis
Common Name:  American arbor-vitae
Family:  Cupressaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  An essential oil from the leaves is poisonous if taken in large doses[7, 65]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women[165].

Mature Height:  15   Mature Width:  5

Habitat:  Swamps and cool rocky banks of streams[43], forming dense almost impenetrable forests[82, 165]. Also found on rocky soils[226]. Plants are usually found on neutral to alkaline limestone soils[226].

General Uses: Tolerant of regular trimming, though not into the old wood, it can be grown as a hedge[226]. The fresh branches are used as besoms[4]. Their aromatic smell serves to deodorize the house whilst sweeping[226]. The leaves have been kept in the clothes cupboard as a perfume, incense and insect repellent[257]. The leaves and stems have been used as an incense[257]. An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and branches, it is used in perfumery and in medicines[46, 57, 61, 226]. It is poisonous if taken internally[65]. This essential oil also has insect repellent properties[106]. The tough and stringy bark has been used to weave fibre bags[257]. The bark is a source of tannin[257]. Wood - light, soft, not strong, brittle, coarse grained, very durable, easily worked, does not warp[61, 82, 171, 226, 235]. It weighs 20lb per cubic foot[235]. Used especially where contact with water cannot be avoided, for canoes, garden buildings, shingles, posts etc[11, 61, 82, 171, 226].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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