Arborvitae
Arborvitae
Arborvitae (Latin for “tree of life”), common name for certain related evergreen trees of the cypress family, so named early in the 17th century because of the medicinal value ascribed to their balsamic resin. Extracts of this resin increase blood pressure and reduce fever. The leaves have a fragrant, balsamlike odor. The wood is reddish, light, and durable. Some of the larger species are valuable timber trees. The smaller species are cultivated in gardens and as wind screens for more tender plants.
The common, or American, arborvitae, often called white cedar, is found in the northeastern regions of North America as far south as Virginia. It flourishes in moist, cool places and attains a height of 15 m (50 ft). The branches are horizontally expanded, compressed or flattened, and have small, scalelike leaves. The cones are small and obovate. The only other species native to North America is the giant arborvitae, found west of the Rocky Mountains from northern California to Alaska. Sometimes called red cedar or canoe cedar, it may attain a height of 60 m (200 ft) under favorable conditions, and the trunk may exceed 4.5 m (15 ft) in diameter.
The Oriental arborvitae of the Old World is smaller and less hardy than the American species. It has denser foliage, more nearly vertical branches, and larger, rougher, and more nearly spherical cones.
Scientific classification: Arborvitae belong to the family Cupressaceae. The common, or American, arborvitae is classified as Thuja occidentalis, the giant arborvitae as Thuja plicata, and the Oriental arborvitae as Thuja orientalis.
The common, or American, arborvitae, often called white cedar, is found in the northeastern regions of North America as far south as Virginia. It flourishes in moist, cool places and attains a height of 15 m (50 ft). The branches are horizontally expanded, compressed or flattened, and have small, scalelike leaves. The cones are small and obovate. The only other species native to North America is the giant arborvitae, found west of the Rocky Mountains from northern California to Alaska. Sometimes called red cedar or canoe cedar, it may attain a height of 60 m (200 ft) under favorable conditions, and the trunk may exceed 4.5 m (15 ft) in diameter.
The Oriental arborvitae of the Old World is smaller and less hardy than the American species. It has denser foliage, more nearly vertical branches, and larger, rougher, and more nearly spherical cones.
Scientific classification: Arborvitae belong to the family Cupressaceae. The common, or American, arborvitae is classified as Thuja occidentalis, the giant arborvitae as Thuja plicata, and the Oriental arborvitae as Thuja orientalis.
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