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Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Fast-growing evergreen widely used for privacy screens and windbreaks. Very cold hardy.
Quick Facts
Sun:☀️ Full Sun, ⛅ Partial Shade
Water:💧💧 Moderate
USDA Zones:Zones 3–8
Space:🌱 Small Bed, 🏡 Large Garden
Soil:Loam, Clay, Silty
Best Season(s):Spring, Fall
Experience Level:🌱 Beginner
Native Range:Eastern North America
Bloom Cycle:Evergreen conifer — grown for year-round screening, not bloom
Care Notes
Wrap in burlap in deer-prone areas. Stake in wind-exposed locations when young. Space 5–6 ft for privacy.
Growing Details
Mature Size:20-40 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide (standard forms; dwarf cultivars much smaller)
Growth Rate:🐇 Fast
Zone Performance
At the cold edge (Zone 3), arborvitae is exceptionally hardy but can suffer winter burn (bronzing) from cold wind and sun in exposed sites; at the warm edge (Zone 8), it is more prone to heat stress and bagworm pressure, and appreciates a site with some afternoon relief in the hottest climates. It performs most reliably as a screening plant in the cooler-to-middle portion of its range.
Companions & Wildlife
🦌 Deer Resistance
frequently damaged
Arborvitae is one of the most preferred winter browse plants for deer and often needs fencing or repellent in deer-heavy areas.
🐝 Pollinator Value
none
Wind-pollinated with no showy flowers, it offers little direct pollinator value but does provide dense cover and nesting habitat for songbirds.
Good Companions
Boxwood — Evergreen shrub that shares full sun to part shade and provides a lower-growing textural contrast in front of a tall arborvitae screen.
Hydrangea — Benefits from the wind protection and light afternoon shade an arborvitae hedge provides while adding seasonal color.
Daylily — Tough, low-maintenance perennial that softens the base of an arborvitae privacy screen without competing for the same root zone depth.
Troubleshooting
⚠️ Bagworm infestation (spindle-shaped bags on foliage)
Hand-pick bags in fall/winter before eggs hatch, or treat with Bt in early summer when larvae are small.
⚠️ Winter bronzing/burn
Site away from harsh winter wind and desiccating sun, and apply an anti-desiccant spray in late fall in exposed locations.
⚠️ Deer browsing
Wrap young plants in burlap or use deer repellent sprays through fall and winter in high-pressure areas.
⚠️ Pet Safety
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs (thujone) — can cause GI upset if a significant amount of foliage is eaten.
Informational only — always check with a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has eaten something it shouldn't have.