Thujas (Thuja) or arborvitaes are found in North America or eastern Asia. These evergreen coniferous trees or shrubs have a stringy-textured reddish-brown bark and flat shoots. The leaves of mature trees are flat, scaly, and fan-like, while those of seedlings are needlelike. Both male and female trees produce cones. Its light, soft, aromatic wood is coveted for making chests and also fencing poles because it is resistant to decay. Thujas can grow in both sunny and shade conditions on sandy or heavy clay soil, and most are unaffected by pollution and frost.

Why is thuja sometimes called the 'tree of life'?

Thuja, also known as arborvitae, is called the "tree of life" because of its medicinal properties. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory and digestive issues, and to boost the immune system. Its essential oils have antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable natural remedy. It is also a popular ornamental tree, known for its dense, green foliage and ability to tolerate a range of growing conditions.

How are Thuja trees different from Cedar trees?

Thuja and cedar trees are often confused because they belong to the same plant family, however, they are two distinct species. Thuja, also known as arborvitae, is a coniferous tree native to North America and northern Asia. Cedar trees, on the other hand, are native to the Mediterranean region, the Himalayas, and parts of North America. They are both known for their distinctive, aromatic wood and their use in traditional medicine, but cedar trees tend to be larger and have more aromatic wood than thuja. Additionally, thuja trees have flat, scale-like leaves, while cedar trees have needle-like leaves.

How do Thuja trees reproduce?

Thuja trees reproduce through seeds and vegetative reproduction. The seeds are produced in small, woody cones and are dispersed by wind or animals. Vegetative reproduction is the process of producing new plants from existing plant parts, such as roots, stems, or leaves. Thuja trees can reproduce vegetatively through rooting of cuttings or layering, a process in which a branch is bent down to the ground and covered with soil to encourage root development. Both seeds and vegetative reproduction are effective methods of reproduction for thuja trees.

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Thujas Guides
Browse through our curated Thujas Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Thujas. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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70’-100’ | 21-30 m
20’-35’ | 6.1-10.7 m (Spread)
4’-7’ | 1.2-2.1 m (Trunk)
.25”-.5” | 6-13 mm (Leaf)
Incense Cedar
3000.000
1070.000
210.000
1.300
4500
GUIDE
3D
Incense Cedar
40’-60’ | 12-18 m
10’-20’ | 3-6.1 m (Spread)
2’-5’ | .6-1.5 m (Trunk)
.12”-.2” | 3-5 mm (Leaf)
Northern White Cedar
1800.000
610.000
150.000
0.500
2500
GUIDE
3D
Northern White Cedar
100’-150’ | 30-46 m
15’-30’ | 4.6-9.1 m (Spread)
6’-13’ | 1.8-4 m (Trunk)
.12”-.24” | 3-6 mm (Leaf)
Western Red Cedar
4600.000
910.000
400.000
0.600
250
GUIDE
3D
Western Red Cedar
Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
Size comparison drawing of the Incense Cedar compared to a person and other Thuja species

Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), also referenced as California Incense-Cedar, is an evergreen conifer tree species that is often used as hedges. The Incense Cedar is native to western North America ranging from central Oregon through northern Baja California. The branches of the Incense Cedar initially grow upright and spread as the tree matures. Its bright-green foliage grows in flattened sprays with scale-like leaves that are arranged in opposite decussate pairs. When crushed the leaves have a shoe-polish-like aroma. The Incense Cedar produces seed cones that have a pale green to yellow color. The Incense Cedar is not in danger of extinction.

Incense Cedars have a typical overall height between 70’-100’ (21-30 m) and spread diameter of 20’-35’ (6.1-10.7 m). Exceptional mature Incense Cedar trees may grow to heights of 225’ (69 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Incense Cedar has a diameter of 4’-7’ (1.2-2.1 m) with scale-like leaf lengths between .25”-.5” (6-13 mm).

Set of scaled dimensioned drawings of the Incense Cedar viewed from the front and top
Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), also referenced as California Incense-Cedar, is an evergreen conifer tree species that is often used as hedges. The Incense Cedar is native to western North America ranging from central Oregon through northern Baja California.

Incense Cedars have a typical overall height between 70’-100’ (21-30 m) and spread diameter of 20’-35’ (6.1-10.7 m). Exceptional mature Incense Cedar trees may grow to heights of 225’ (69 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Incense Cedar has a diameter of 4’-7’ (1.2-2.1 m) with scale-like leaf lengths between .25”-.5” (6-13 mm).

Set of scaled dimensioned drawings of the Incense Cedar viewed from the front and top
Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
Height:
70’-100’ | 21-30 m
Width:
20’-35’ | 6.1-10.7 m (Spread)
Length:
.25”-.5” | 6-13 mm (Leaf)
Depth:
4’-7’ | 1.2-2.1 m (Trunk)
Height (Exceptional)
225’ | 69 m (Max)
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Calocedrus decurrens

Drawings include:

Incense Cedar front elevation, plan view

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Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Comparison drawing of the Western Red Cedar compared to similar Thuja species and a person

The Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), also known as the Pacific Red Cedar is a large evergreen conifer tree known for being the largest tree among the cypress family. The Western Red Cedar is native to the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The Western Red Cedar grows a crown with horizontal branches that can touch the ground if it is in an open area. Its foliage is made up of scale-like leaves that grow in opposite pairs and 90 degrees from one another. This foliage has an aroma that resembles a pineapple. The Western Red Cedar is non-flowering and grows cones. The Western Red Cedar is near threatened to extinction.

Western Red Cedars have a typical overall height between 100’-150’ (30-46 m) and spread diameter of 15’-30’ (4.6-9.1 m). Exceptional mature Western Red Cedar trees may grow to heights of 200’ (61 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Western Red Cedar has a diameter of 6’-13’ (1.8-4 m) with scale-like leaf lengths between .12”-.24” (3-6 mm).

Scaled set of drawings of the Western Red Cedar in front and top views with dimensions
The Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), also known as the Pacific Red Cedar is a large evergreen conifer tree known for being the largest tree among the cypress family. The Western Red Cedar is native to the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Western Red Cedars have a typical overall height between 100’-150’ (30-46 m) and spread diameter of 15’-30’ (4.6-9.1 m). Exceptional mature Western Red Cedar trees may grow to heights of 200’ (61 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Western Red Cedar has a diameter of 6’-13’ (1.8-4 m) with scale-like leaf lengths between .12”-.24” (3-6 mm).

Scaled set of drawings of the Western Red Cedar in front and top views with dimensions
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Height:
100’-150’ | 30-46 m
Width:
15’-30’ | 4.6-9.1 m (Spread)
Length:
.12”-.24” | 3-6 mm (Leaf)
Depth:
6’-13’ | 1.8-4 m (Trunk)
Height (Exceptional)
200’ | 61 m (Max)
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Thuja plicata

Drawings include:

Western Red Cedar front elevation, plan view

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Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Scale illustration of an average Northern White Cedar compared to other species of Thujas and a human

The Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), also known as the Eastern White Cedar, is an evergreen coniferous tree that is typically planted as an ornamental plant. The Northern White Cedar is native to the north-central and the northeastern region of the United States. The Northern White Cedar has fan-like branches that grow densely and create a conical or pyramidal crown. The tree is covered with a red-brown colored bark that peels in strips. The Northern White Cedar grows scaly leaves in flat sprays and produces seed cones that are slender and have a yellow-green coloring. The Northern White Cedar is not in danger of extinction.

Northern White Cedars have a typical overall height between 40’-60’ (12-18 m) and spread diameter of 10’-20’ (3-6.1 m). Exceptional mature Northern White Cedar trees may grow to heights of 125’ (38 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Northern White Cedar has a diameter of 2’-5’ (.6-1.5 m) with scale-like leaf lengths between .12”-.2” (3-5 mm).

Pair of dimensioned illustrations of the Northern White Cedar seen from the top and elevation views
The Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), also known as the Eastern White Cedar, is an evergreen coniferous tree that is typically planted as an ornamental plant. The Northern White Cedar is native to the north-central and the northeastern region of the United States.

Northern White Cedars have a typical overall height between 40’-60’ (12-18 m) and spread diameter of 10’-20’ (3-6.1 m). Exceptional mature Northern White Cedar trees may grow to heights of 125’ (38 m) in the wild. The trunk of the Northern White Cedar has a diameter of 2’-5’ (.6-1.5 m) with scale-like leaf lengths between .12”-.2” (3-5 mm).

Pair of dimensioned illustrations of the Northern White Cedar seen from the top and elevation views
Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Height:
40’-60’ | 12-18 m
Width:
10’-20’ | 3-6.1 m (Spread)
Length:
.12”-.2” | 3-5 mm (Leaf)
Depth:
2’-5’ | .6-1.5 m (Trunk)
Height (Exceptional)
125’ | 38 m (Max)
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Thuja occidentalis

Drawings include:

Northern White Cedar front elevation, plan view

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