Thuja occidentalis 'Columna' von Bruns Pflanzen

Thuja develop into very symmetrical, conical trees, similar to Chamaecyparis. The two genera are not easy to tell apart on casual inspection; the upright apex shoot and the typical arbor-vitae smell secreted from the large resin glands are characteristics of Thuja species, but surer means of identification are the differing shape of the leaves as well as the different structure of the cones. While the cones of Chamaecyparis are globular and reminiscent of small cypress cones, Thuja has more or less ovate-elongate cones which are made up of several overlapping, leathery scales. There are also only six species in the Genus Thuja, and they originate, again like Chamaecyparis, from North America and East Asia. Thuja are not as “colourful” and varied as Chamaecyparis, but plant users prefer them. T. occidentalis forms in particular are distinguished by their hardiness and extreme resistance to winds – in addition their ability to sprout after pruning makes them excellent hedging plants: T. occidentalis is one of most commonly planted evergreen hedge plants. Although preferring, like most other conifers, high relative humidity levels, they thrive well on urban sites. They are also valuable as narrow, evergreen screens or wind breaks. Thuja are generally undemanding as to site conditions and climate, thriving best on moist, nutrient-rich soils.