Is Thuja plicata the same as Thuja plicata excelsa?
The Excelsa is the smaller of two species of Thuja plicata. It is also known as the Excelsa Western red cedar. The word “Thuja” comes from Medieval Latin and means cedar (thuia). Thuja plicata ‘Excelsa’, commonly referred to as Western Red Cedar ‘Excelsa’, is an evergreen conifer prized for its tall, dense, and columnar growth habit, making it ideal for hedges or privacy screens.Thuja plicata and Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ have moderately fast growth of 45-60cm a year. Regular trimming keeps a western red cedar hedge compact, restricting growth to as little as 1.
What is the common name for Thuja plicata?
Thuja plicata is a large evergreen coniferous tree in the family Cupressaceae, native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. Its common name is western redcedar. It is also less commonly called western red cedar, pacific red cedar, giant arborvitae, western arborvitae, just cedar, giant cedar, or shinglewood. Northern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis) differs from Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata) in leaf color (dull, yellowish green on both surfaces), seed cones scale formation, tree size, and geographic regions of growth.Cedars are native, but have become invasive and, when left unmanaged, have the ability to form dense stands. These stands can be viewed as monocultures – plant communities dominated by one species. Native rangelands, however are composed of a diversity of many native species of grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees.
Which Thuja grows fastest?
Thuja Green Giant’s growth rate is at an impressively fast rate, up to 4 feet per year in the proper growing environment. Thuja ‘Green Giant’ Hedge makes a dense, thick, lovely hedge with regular pruning. Green Giant Arborvitae, Thuja, has become a top selection due to its lush evergreen foliage and its vigorous, fast-growing growth, shooting up by as much as 3-4′ per year until maturity. Its lovely natural pyramidal form adds majestic grace to the landscape. Green Giant Arborvitae matures to 30-60′ tall.Thuja Green Giant trees have a moderately deep, extensive root system that is not known for invasiveness, though it can spread to the drip line of the tree’s mature canopy, which can reach 15-20 feet wide.Green Giant is a hybrid of the North American native Thuja plicata and the Thuja standishii (native to Southern Japan), taking the best features of each to create a more disease-resistant, narrow, and pyramidal Arborvitae.Arborvitae (Thuja) perform best when planted in a minimum of six hours or more of direct sun per day.
What are the benefits of Thuja plicata?
Its leaves and essential oils contain compounds with anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. Some important Thuja plant benefits for health include: Respiratory support: Used in steam inhalation to ease congestion and coughs. Skin care: Helps in treating warts, eczema, and fungal infections. When taken by mouth: Thuja is LIKELY SAFE when products that are thujone-free are taken in food amounts. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take thuja in the larger amounts found in medicine. Large doses of thuja can cause queasiness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death.
Which thuja tree is best?
Thuja Plicata ‘Atrovirens’ is one of the most popular varieties and a useful substitute for Green Leylandii hedging. It is easier to manage but still grows at 40-60cm each year, creating a splendid hedge or screen. Thuja Occidentalis ‘Brabant’ is a less common variety. Arborvitae (Thuja) are versatile, easy-care evergreen trees in the Cupressus family. With a natural conical shape, they make great hedges, wind breaks, or privacy trees. Arborvitae are hardy in USDA zones 3-7, making them easy to overwinter in many parts of the country.Thuja plicata Excelsa are also deer resistant which makes them great for rural areas. A popular alternative to Leylandii, as it is slower growing but still provides a dense, evergreen, conifer. In addition, Thuja can be hard pruned, and the old wood will regenerate, whereas Leylandii will go brown and die off.Garden Maintenance The Thuja plant, also known as arborvitae, is a versatile evergreen perfect for Indian home gardens. With its dense, lush foliage, it’s perfect for creating privacy screens, green boundaries, or decorative focal points.Pair Thuja with ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs like hydrangeas, rhododendrons, or underplant with spring bulbs for varied texture and year-round interest.