Thuja occidentalis Seeds | Northern White-cedar
LATIN NAME: Thuja occidentalis
COMMON NAME: Northern White-cedar, Eastern Arborvitae, American Arborvitae
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Northern White-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a conifer. The northern white-cedar is a hardy and noble conifer of the northern forests, its flat, aromatic, evergreen sprays a familiar presence across the north, where it grows in moist forests, swamps and along rocky cliffs. It forms a conical crown of dense, flattened, scale-like foliage that turns bronze in winter, and its small, upright, woody cones ripen through the year. In swamps and on cliffs of its native range, some trees live for many centuries, and oldest individuals are counted among the most ancient trees of the north. It is the sort of plant that quietly justifies the space it occupies.
Science & Biotechnology
Thuja occidentalis sits in the Thuja group, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Species has also been studied in horticulture, since it is a hardy ornamental and hedging conifer, and its many varieties have been examined. It retains a following among breeders and collectors, which keeps seed stocks in circulation.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Northern White-cedar for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Ecologically, the northern white-cedar is a generous conifer of the northern forests. Its aromatic sprays give shelter, and it is a valued food and shelter for wildlife of north, while it is a noble presence in forests and swamps, and some of its trees are among oldest in the north. For a grower, the northern white-cedar is an easy and hardy conifer, and for a gardener it brings aromatic, evergreen sprays and a noble northern presence. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.
Arborvitae is a premier hedge conifer; its thujone-rich oil limits internal use to professional territory, while its name, tree of life, recalls the vitamin-C tea that saved early explorers.
Growing from Seed
Starting Northern White-cedar from seed is simple and satisfying. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in bright light. A cool, moist period before sowing helps the seeds wake evenly — a few weeks in damp medium in the refrigerator is the usual approach. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Part of this plant’s appeal is the long practical history summarized above. A cool, moist period before sowing prepares the seed well; care after that is routine.
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