Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis)

Oriental arborvitae

Features and Characteristics

Platycladus orientalis, commonly called oriental thuja or oriental arborvitae, typically grows as a dense, conical to columnar tree to 18-25’ tall. Also grows as a large shrub. Plants tend to open up with age. Scale-like yellowish-green leaves in flattened sprays in youth, becoming darker green with age. Foliage may bronze up in winter. Oval cones (to 3/4” long). Reddish-brown bark. Compact shrubby cultivars are much more common in cultivation than the species. Synonymous with Thuja orientalis and Biota orientalis.

Genus name comes from the Greek platys meaning broad and klados meaning a branch for the branchlets being two-ranked in a vertical plane.

Specific epithet means of the Orient.

Care and Maintenance

Grow in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade. Appreciates good air circulation. Water plants regularly in hot and dry weather. In St. Louis, site in locations sheltered from strong winds. Plants may not be reliably winter hardy throughout the northern parts of USDA Zone

Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) Requirements

Hardiness zone	6 - 9
Sun light	Full sun to part shade
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

Healthy, well-maintained plants sited in proper growing environments usually have few major problems. Watch for bagworms and spider mites. Scales, aphids, caterpillars, borers and mealybugs may appear. Branches may be broken from snow weight in winter.

Uses

Specimen. Hedge. Foundations.

Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) Details

Common name	Oriental arborvitae
Botanical name	Platycladus orientalis
Plant type	Needled evergreen
Family	Cupressaceae
Hardiness zone	6 - 9
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	Non-flowering
Flowering period	Non-flowering
Height	18 - 25 ft.
Width	10 - 15 ft.