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Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
THU-ya ock-sih-den-TAH-liss
Description

Holmstrup Arborvitae is an evergreen conifer in the cypress family native to North America.  It is slow-growing and will take 10 years to reach 10 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. The foliage is attractive with scale-like leaves in dense horizontal sprays that hold their color well through winter. The form is a narrow pyramidal shape.

It is adaptable to various soil types but prefers moist well-drained loams. It is not drought tolerant. Use this tree in foundation plantings, as a hedge, or as a focal point in small gardens. This conifer is browsed by deer.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Thuja occidentalis.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#wildlife plant#native tree#fragrant leaves#medicinal#cover plant#disease resistant#food source wildlife#cpp#deer browsing plant#playground plant#bird friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#wildlife plant#native tree#fragrant leaves#medicinal#cover plant#disease resistant#food source wildlife#cpp#deer browsing plant#playground plant#bird friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Thuja
    Species:
    occidentalis
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used this plant to prevent scurvy; the sap contains vitamin C. They shared this practice with French settlers, which gave rise to the name arborvitae, meaning tree of life. They also used this plant for canoes.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Deer browse the foliage, which also provides cover and habitat for birds. Foliage is aromatic.
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Seed cones are not showy
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Scale-like dense foliage in vertical sprays
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut