False Arborvitae Thujopsis dolabrata

Hiba arborvitae is a large conical evergreen conifer tree in the cypress family. It is native to the moist forests of Central Japan and may grow as tall as 100 feet in its native habitat. Cultivated trees grow from 30 to 50 feet tall.  The bright, coarse, glossy green leaves are densely packed to provide color and winter interest in the garden.  Seed cones ripen in the fall, and it also has attractive flaking bark. This conifer is dense and pyramidal, and it usually has a conical crown with branches that sweep upward. 

The genus name, Thujopsis, comes from the genus name, Thuja. Opsis is translated as meaning "like or similar." The epithet, dolabrata, refers to the stomatal bands on the undersides of the leaves and means "hatch-like."

Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic soils.  This tree does not tolerate dry soils and appreciates protection from wind and afternoon sun in hot summer locations.  This tree is quite large so choose a location that plans for its mature size.

This evergreen is intolerant to drought, and it is best to avoid exposed sites, windy sites, or full shade. It can be susceptible to branch breakage from snow and ice and winter burn on leaves.

Hiba arborvitae has a beautiful form and foliage, but it requires a large space to grow.

Quick ID Hints:

• large conifer with pyramidal habit and conical crown
• flaking gray to reddish-brown bark
• the leaves are small, scale-like, dark glossy green on the upper surface with stomatal bands on the undersides
• non-flowering
• small solitary brown seed cones on terminal branches that ripen in the fall 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect and disease issues but leaf blight can cause some damage as may canker, leaf miner, scales, mealybugs, and mites.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University