Thuja Occidentalis is an evergreen coniferous tree. It has various common names, including American arborvitae, northern white cedar, and eastern white cedar. Due to its tall pyramid shape, it is called Thuja Occidentalis Pyramidalis. With low maintenance requirements, it is a favorite choice for many gardeners. Moreover, it belongs to the cypress family of Cupressaceae. With a very long life, Thuja Occidentalis can grow up to 20 meters in height. This popular thuja variety has various uses that you may not know.
Here we will discuss some of the best uses of Thuja Occidentalis or arborvitae.
Landscape Accents
Thuja Occidentalis work well as stand-alone plants, which enhance the beauty of your garden. It can be the best centerpiece of your garden. Especially its globe varieties, also known as Thuja Occidentalis Golden Globe, can be great sculptural accents. Its unusual globe shape can add an interesting element to your garden or backyard. People often use this evergreen plant to upgrade the look of their home garden and get compliments from guests.
Privacy Hedges
Another common use of Thuja Occidentalis Pyramidalis is as a privacy hedge. When these plants grow, they create a sturdy green wall of dense foliage, dividing spaces and creating visual barriers. They provide privacy throughout the year during every season. Moreover, they grow up to three vertical feet per year. Thus, because of their quick growth, year-round foliage, and ease of care, they are the best option for the hedging purpose. Landscapers use this thuja variety to install a visual barrier. You can also use this plant for privacy screens to maintain privacy against intruding neighbors.
Windbreaks
The attributes that qualify Thuja Occidentalis plants as successful privacy hedges also make them ideal windbreaks. If you don’t know, a windbreak is a row of trees planted perpendicular to the winds on the windward side of a structure or crop. With substantially less wind, they create a zone that acts as a wall. Thus, it leads to the reduction of crop evapotranspiration and wind damage. Also, it makes a residential area more pleasant to live in.
Medicinal Uses
Many of you might not know that Thuja Occidentalis plants have excellent medicinal properties. Medical practitioners or doctors often use this plant’s leaves & leaf oil as a medicine. This thuja variety is best for treating several health conditions, including respiratory tract infections like bronchitis, cold sores, and skin infections. Moreover, it is also used for osteoarthritis and trigeminal neuralgia, which is a nerve disorder. In addition, Thuja plants contain chemicals that can help fight viruses. Also, research shows that it contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Furthermore, its foliage is rich in vitamin C, which can cure diseases like scurvy. However, due to the presence of a chemical called thujone, its internal use for a prolonged period can be harmful. Pregnant women should avoid any remedies made of arborvitae as it may even lead to miscarriages. Besides, the essential oil within the plant has many uses. People use this essential oil as cleansers, insecticides, hair preparations, disinfectants, soft soaps, and more.
Traditional Uses
The Thuja Occidentalis tree also has a traditional use in a different culture like Ojibwe. The followers of Ojibwe culture, indigenous people, found in the north of Rio Grande, consider it as one of the four major plants of their medicinal wheel. In the traditional Ojibwe culture, the tree is the subject of sacred legends. Native people of this culture also call the tree with the name NooKomis Giizhik (or Grandmother Cedar) in its honor. They consider it to be a gift to humanity for its several uses in medicine, crafts, and construction.
Tips for Growing Thuja Occidentalis
Given the medicinal and various other uses of Thuja Occidentalis, it is no wonder why people call it a tree of life. After knowing its number of uses, you may want to grow it in your garden. If yes, then here are some productive tips for you to grow and care for this thuja variety.
- Make sure to plant trees three feet apart from each other
- These Thuja trees grow best in well-drained soil
- Full sun is more preferable but it can also grow in partial shade
- Water these trees regularly and deeply
- They are resilient to harsh weather, but young plants are sensitive. So, protect them from high winds in the early stages.
- It does not require any pruning. However, you can prune it if you are using it as a hedge.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you know the various uses of the Thuja Occidentalis plant. You can buy this useful plant from online websites. If you want to enhance the beauty of your garden, then go for Thuja Occidentalis Golden Globe. Its resilience and low maintenance quality make it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. Though it doesn’t require pruning, you may prune your Thuja if you want to give it a creative shape.
