About

This evergreen conifer with reddish-brown bark and a conical shape that can also form a dense hedge. Has yellowish-green foliage that turns slightly bronze in autumn but in gerneral maintains the same colour all year round, light brown scaly cones and insignificant flowers in spring. Fast growing and shade tolerant.

About the genus

Thuja are fast-growing evergreen trees of narrowly conical habit, with flat sprays of tiny, aromatic, scale-like leaves and small knobbly cones

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeSand, Loam, Chalk, Clay
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeConifers
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Care notes

CultivationGrows well in fertile well-drained soil, avoid waterlogging.
PruningPrune to maintain shape.
PropagationPropage by semi-hardwood cuttings.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects and cypress aphid.
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus and other fungal diseases, particularly thuja blight and Coryneum canker (see conifers: brown patches)