Thuja occidentalis 'Lutea'

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Thuja occidentalis 'Lutea'

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Kemper Code: M540

Common Name: American arborvitae
Zone: 2 to 8
Plant Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Cupressaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 25 to 30 feet
Spread: 12 to 15 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Color: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

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Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Where is this species invasive in the US?

Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Somewhat wide range of soil tolerance, but prefers moist, well-drained loams. Intolerant of dry conditions. Best in full sun, but generally appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Plants may open up in too much shade, however. Site in locations protected from cold winter winds.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Although the species is a native American needled evergreen tree which grows 40-60’ tall, ‘Lutea’ is a more compact, narrow, upright cultivar that typically matures to 25-30’ tall and 15’ wide. Plants will add a foot or more of new growth per year, with 10-year height typically being in the 10-12’ tall range. As the cultivar name suggests, ‘Lutea’ is noted for its bright golden foliage which holds well in winter. Foliage is scale-like and appears in flat, fan-shaped clusters. Urn-shaped cones to 1/2” long mature to reddish brown. Synonymous with and sometimes still sold as Thuja occidentalis ‘George Peabody’.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Bagworms and spider mites are occasional visitors. Foliage may show some winter burn in cold, exposed sites. Susceptible to damage/stem breakage in winter from ice and snow accumulations.

Uses:

Golden foliage provides accent to the landscape. Good specimen. Also effective as a background plant or screen.