THOJA TREE

Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis

Common Names: Eastern White Cedar

Description: Thuja occidentalis is a slow-growing evergreen coniferous tree native to eastern Canada and much of the north-central and northeastern United States. It’s a valuable tree with various uses.

Size: Typically grows 10-20 meters (33-66 feet) tall, with a mature spread of 4-6 meters (13-20 feet). Can reach up to 30 meters (100 feet) tall in ideal conditions.

Leaves: Scale-like leaves, green to yellowish-green in color. Seedlings have needle-like leaves in their first year. The leaves are arranged in flattened sprays along the branches.

Flowers: Small, inconspicuous cones produced separately on male and female trees. Not a showy feature of the tree.

Fruit: Small, ovoid cones that turn brown when mature, releasing tiny winged seeds.

Uses:

• Ornamental Plant: Widely cultivated as a hedge plant due to its dense foliage, pyramidal shape, and tolerance for pruning.
• Essential Oil: The leaves and twigs are used to produce an essential oil with antiseptic and insect repellent properties.
• Medicinal Uses: Some traditional medicine practices utilize Thuja for respiratory issues and other ailments.