Arborvitae Trees Facts & Care
- 27
- Nov
Arborvitae trees are dense, narrow, evergreen shrubs or small trees that make a wonderful privacy screen and windbreak. They have flat, scale-like foliage, which is usually a lush light, medium, or dark green, and attractive cones.
These trees also typically maintain their foliage nearly all the way to the base of the trunk, giving the plants a formal, dense appearance. Various types of arborvitae are low-maintenance.
Arborvitae Trees Facts
The plants typically maintain their foliage nearly all the way to the base of the trunk, giving the plants a formal, dense appearance. Various types of arborvitae are low-maintenance.
Arborvitaes are hardy trees that require little maintenance and grow well in part or full sun. They can be planted at any time of the year, except during summer drought conditions. Additionally, they prefer cooler climates and moist, alkaline soil, but can adapt to other soil types.
The plants typically maintain their foliage nearly all the way to the base of the trunk, giving the plants a formal, dense appearance. Various types of arborvitae are low-maintenance.
Plant arborvitaes at any time of the year; however, avoid doing so during summer drought conditions. Furthermore, these hardy trees thrive in part or full sun and demand very little maintenance.
Arborvitae trees prefer cooler climates and moist, alkaline soil, but can adapt to other soil types.
Attributes
Arborvitae Trees:
- Feature tiny, scale-like leaves that are packed closely together in overlapping rows on branchlets, displaying in a flattened, fan-like spray. The leaves change from bright green in the summer to a multitude of rich yellow-brown-green hues in the winter.
- Grow in a pyramidal shape.
- Adapt well to shearing and shaping.
- Release a pleasing aroma when leaves are squeezed.
- Yield light brown or reddish-brown oblong cones that are ⅜–½” long and persist through winter. Cone scales are blunt-tipped and separate from each other at the base.
- Can be planted 3′ apart for a low-maintenance hedge.
Arborvitae Tree Care
Tree pruning, watering, and using fertilizer regularly will keep your arborvitae tree healthy. Mature and established arborvitae trees benefit from fertilizer feedings.
Arborvitae types and sizes vary widely. Some cultivars remain compact like a small arborvitae shrub, while others grow into tall, columnar trees. Gardeners often select different types of arborvitae depending on their landscaping needs.
Arborvitae trees can suffer from occasional insect infestations, such as:
- aphids
- scale insects
- bark beetles
Many of these can be controlled with a hard spray of water from the garden hose, if needed. If you are looking to purchase an arborvitae tree, please contact Arbor Hills Tree Farm. They will price match, plant, and have the best warranties.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are Arborvitae trees, and why are they popular in landscaping?
Arborvitae trees are dense, narrow, evergreen shrubs or small trees valued for their ability to provide privacy screens and windbreaks due to their thick, formal foliage that extends close to the base.
What kind of foliage and appearance do Arborvitae trees have?
They feature flat, scale-like leaves arranged in tight, fan-like sprays, with summer foliage in shades of bright green shifting to yellow-brown-green hues in winter, and produce small, oblong cones that persist through the colder months.
How easy are Arborvitae trees to care for, and what are their preferred growing conditions?
Arborvitae trees are low-maintenance and hardy, thriving in part or full sun, preferring moist, alkaline soil, but adapting to a wide range of soil types and climates—though cooler regions are ideal.
How fast do Arborvitae trees grow, and what sizes or shapes are available?
These trees grow at a slow to moderate rate, usually 12 to 24 inches per year, with cultivars ranging from compact shrubs to tall, columnar forms suitable for hedges, privacy barriers, or specimen plantings.
What common pests affect Arborvitae trees, and how can they be managed?
Occasional insect pests such as aphids, scale insects, and bark beetles may appear, but most can be controlled with a strong spray of water, keeping the trees healthy with proper pruning, watering, and fertilizing.
