Species American arborvitae
olive foliage with brown branches and trunk

American arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Skinner Dwarf'

American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Skinner Dwarf') is an evergreen tree with a dense, compact form. It's bright green foliage provides a striking look in any garden. It has an upright pyramidal growth pattern and grows slowly to around 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. This dwarf variety of American Arborvitae is low maintenance and requires minimal pruning. Not only does it make an excellent stand-alone specimen plant, but it also works well as a hedge or a border. It provides year round interest and is an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscaping.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Greenwood Cuttings,Greenwood Cuttings,Hardwood Cuttings

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 7

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Rocky

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

American arborvitae needs to be watered once a week with 1-2 inches of water. During hot periods, the plant will require more water to keep the soil moist. When watering, allow the soil to dry briefly between sessions. It is important to avoid overwatering the arborvitae as this can lead to disease issues such as root-rot.

sunlight

American arborvitae prefers full sun exposure. This species should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Direct sunlight is especially beneficial when the plant is first established since it helps the arborvitae fully mature and establish a dense framework. Furthermore, during its peak growth periods, direct sun exposure is beneficial for growth. It is especially important for the establishment of the dense foliage typical of this species. After establishment, some partial shade may be beneficial during the hottest hours of the day in the summer.

pruning

American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Skinner Dwarf') should be pruned once a year in early spring, just before or after new growth begins. Pruning should be done to keep the tree's natural form and to remove any dead, broken, or diseased branches. Young trees should only be pruned to remove crossed or unhealthy branches. You can also thin out the interior of the tree to promote air circulation. In general, never remove more than 20% of the tree's foliage in any given year.

Hardiness Map