General Culture:

Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It has a somewhat wide range of soil tolerance, but prefers moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained loams. It is best sited in full sun, but generally appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Avoid full shade where foliage density will substantially decrease. Avoid exposed, windy sites.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Thuja occidentalis, commonly known as American arborvitae, Eastern arborvitae, Eastern white cedar or Northern white cedar, is a dense, conical to narrow-pyramidal (sometimes maturing to broad-pyramidal), often single-trunked evergreen tree that is native to eastern and central Canada south to northern Illinois, Ohio and New York with scattered populations further south in the Appalachians to North Carolina. It typically matures to 40-60’ tall. ‘Sudwelli’ is an upright, irregular pyramidal cultivar that typically grows to a slightly more compact 15-30’ tall. It is best noted for its yellowish summer foliage. Foliage is scale-like and appears in flat, fan-shaped sprays. Seed cones, if present, are not particularly showy.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf blight may cause some foliage to spot and drop. Watch for canker. Leaf miner may damage leaf tips. Bagworms, mealybug, scales and spider mites are occasional visitors. Foliage may show some winter burn in exposed sites. Susceptible to damage/stem breakage in winter from ice and snow accumulations.

Uses:

Specimen/accent or in small groups. May be trained as a hedge.

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