About
A slow-growing, evergreen small tree or large shrub, narrowly conical in habit, with scaly golden yellow foliage, lightly tinted with orange in winter.
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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeTrees, Shrubs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Shelter young plants from cold, drying winds
PruningTrim hedging in spring and late summer
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects and conifer aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus and other fungal diseases, particularly thuja blight and Coryneum canker (see conifers: brown patches)