Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1002 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Thuja
Vegetable: False
Observations: C. & E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.
The Northern white-cedar, scientifically known as Thuja occidentalis, is an evergreen conifer belonging to the family Cupressaceae. Documented first in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, its classic elegance and resilience have made it a notable species in both natural landscapes and cultivated gardens across North America.
Native to the eastern regions of Canada and the United States, Thuja occidentalis can be found thriving from the cold climates of central and eastern Canada down to the somewhat milder regions of North Carolina. Its distribution stretches through the northeastern parts of the United States, where it often occupies wetland areas, rocky outcrops, and forested swamps.
The Northern white-cedar stands out with its distinctively flat, scale-like leaves that form dense, fan-shaped sprays. These leaves display a rich green color throughout the year, providing consistent visual interest regardless of the season. In autumn, they may take on a yellowish hue, adding a subtle variation to its foliage. The bark of the Northern white-cedar is equally noteworthy, characterized by its fibrous texture and a reddish-brown coloration that matures into a grayish tone with age.
This species is relatively slow-growing but can reach heights of 12 to 15 meters (about 40 to 50 feet), with some exceptional trees growing taller. Its conical shape and compact form make it an ideal choice for hedges, windbreaks, and privacy screens in both urban and rural settings. However, despite its hardy nature, it prefers moist, well-drained soils and can be susceptible to drought and extreme heat.
Beyond its ornamental uses, the Northern white-cedar also has historical and cultural significance. Indigenous peoples in North America have long utilized its wood and foliage for a variety of purposes, including crafting canoes, totem poles, and traditional medicines. The wood is renowned for its resistance to decay, making it valuable for building and other applications where durability is essential.
In summary, the Northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a venerable and versatile evergreen that continues to be cherished for its aesthetic, practical, and ecological contributions across the regions it populates. Its robust presence in the landscape underscores its adaptability and enduring appeal.
Deu: abendländischer lebensbaum, amerikanischer lebensbaum, gemeiner lebensbaum, lebensbaum
Ita: albero della vita, tuia del canada, tuia occidentale, thuja
Dan: almindelig thuja, finsk hulsvøb
Eng: american arbor-vitae, arbor-vitae, arborvitae, eastern arbor-vitae, eastern arborvitae, eastern white cedar, eastern white-cedar, northern white cedar, northern white-cedar, northern-white-cedar, swamp cedar, swamp-cedar, tree of life, white-cedar
Fra: cèdre blanc du canada, thuya du canada, arbre de vie, cèdre blanc, cèdre de l’est, cèdre-thuya occidental, thuier cèdre, thuya occidental
Swe: doftkörvel, parkkörvel, guldkörvel, rotkörvel, rysskörvel, tuja
Fin: idänkirveli
Hun: nyugati tuja, nyugati életfa
Lav: rietumu tuja
Nld: westerse levensboom
Spa: arbol de la vida, thuja
Por: cedro-branco, tuia-compacta, tuia-do-canadá, tuia-maçã, tuia-vulgar
Est: harilik elupu
Slk: tuja západná
Ces: túje západní
En: Northern white-cedar, Swamp-cedar, White-cedar, Eastern arborvitae, Arborvitae, Eastern white cedar, Arbor-vitae, Eastern White-cedar, Northern White Cedar, Northern Whitecedar, Swamp Cedar, White Cedar, American arbor-vitae, Eastern arbor-vitae, Northern-white-cedar, Tree of life, Canoe Cedar
Ar: عفص غربي
Hy: Թույա արևմտյան
Az: Qərb tuyası
Eu: Mendebaldeko tuia
Be: Туя заходняя
Bg: Западна туя
Zh: Bei mei xiang bai, 北美香柏, 北美香柏 (bei mei xiang bai), 美国崖柏 (mei guo ya bai), 金鐘柏 (jin zhong bai)
Hr: Tuja
Cs: Zerav západní, Túje západní
Da: Almindelig thuja, Finsk Hulsvøb
Nl: Westerse levensboom
Eo: Okcidenta tujo
Et: Harilik elupuu, Harilik elupu
Fi: Kanadantuija, Idänkirveli
Fr: Cèdre blanc, Thuier cèdre, Thuya du Canada, Thuya occidental, Cèdre blanc du Canada, Arbre de vie, Cèdre de l’Est, Cèdre-thuya occidental, Balai, Cèdre, Thuya d’Occident
De: Lebensbaum, Abendländischer Lebensbaum, Amerikanischer Lebensbaum, Gemeiner Lebensbaum, Friedhofsbaum
El: Τούγια δυτική
He: תויה מערבית
Hu: Nyugati tuja, Nyugati életfa
Is: Kanadalífviður
It: Tuia occidentale, Thuja, Albero della vita, Tuia del Canada
Ko: Seoyangcheugbaeg
Lv: Rietumu tuja
Lt: Vakarinė tuja
Mk: Туја
No: Tuja
Oj: Giizhikaatig
Fa: سدر سفید
Pl: Żywotnik zachodni, Zywotnik
Pt: Cedro-branco, Tuia-compacta, Tuia-do-canadá, Tuia-maçã, Tuia-vulgar, Árvore-da-vida, Árvore-da-vida-americana, Tuia
Ru: Туя западная, Туа западная (tuya zapadnaya)
Sk: Tuja západná
Es: Thuja, Ameriški klek, Arbol de la vida, Tuya de Canadá
Sv: Tuja, Doftkörvel, Parkkörvel, Guldkörvel, Rotkörvel, Rysskörvel, Livsträd, Vanlig tuja
Zh-tw: 北美香柏
Zh-hant: 北美香柏
Tr: Batı mazısı
Uk: Туя західна, Туа американская (tuya amerikanskaya)
Taken Nov 17, 2021 by Johnny Forelli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 17, 2022 by David Botcherby (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2019 by JG Zutt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 17, 2019 by Quentin Mte (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2020 by Olena Sturipita (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 9, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2020 by Palo Rapos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2015 by EOL − Lauren Brannan (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 17, 2020 by Luan Borborema (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 3, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Robert Marcotte (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 2022 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 23, 2019 by aupredessources (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Taken Apr 6, 2019 by Pricia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Karsten Hoffmeyer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Stephenson Mike Stevie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 11, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2019 by Marie-Claude Husken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2021 by Zeynep Mutlu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2020 by Stephane Groulx (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 13, 2020 by sebastien berthelot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2021 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 21, 2022 by monika freitova (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2019 by Sheetal bhalla (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2020 by Machado Rafael (cc-by-sa)
Growth form: Single Stem
Growth habit: Tree
Growth rate: Slow
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 5.2
Family: Myrtaceae Author: (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson Bibliography: Telopea 6: 402 (1995) Year: 1995 Status:…
Family: Rubiaceae Author: Pierre ex A.Froehner Bibliography: Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 1: 237 (1897) Year:…
Family: Sapindaceae Author: Koidz. Bibliography: J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 32(1): 38 (1911) Year:…
Family: Asteraceae Author: A.Gray Bibliography: Pacif. Railr. Rep.: 107 (1857) Year: 1857 Status: accepted Rank:…
Family: Fabaceae Author: Medik. Bibliography: Vorles. Churpfälz. Phys.-Ökon. Ges. 2: 398 (1787) Year: 1787 Status:…
Family: Aspleniaceae Author: (Cav.) Alston Bibliography: Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1932: 309 (1932) Year: 1932…
