Thuja plicata

Common Names

Common names (ordered by most common usage): Giant Arborvitae, Giant Cedar, Western Red Cedar

Summary

Thuja plicata, commonly Western redcedar, is a large evergreen conifer native to the Pacific Northwest of North America; it forms an upright, pyramidal to broad crown and typically reaches 50–70 ft tall (15–21 m) and 15–25 ft wide in cultivation, with arching branches and scale-like opposite leaves in four rows that are dark green and fragrant; crushed foliage releases a resinous aroma, and small, slender cones complete its distinctive profile. It prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.0–8.0, is tolerant of full sun to partial shade, hardy to USDA Zone 5, and propagates by seeds or cuttings. Widely used as a specimen, hedge, privacy screen, or windbreak, cultivars exist with varying sizes and winter color, generally pest- and disease-resistant though bagworms and root rots can occur, and it requires regular irrigation, especially in summer, and can be pruned to maintain size and shape.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

600-840 inches

Spread

15-25 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, Partial Sun, or Partial Shade, Full Shade is not considered an ideal condition in sources.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Consistently moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5.0-8.0 (acid to neutral)

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Does not bloom

Foliage Color

Green (often dark green)

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Typically 2-3 feet per year.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds