Description

Formerly called Thuja orientalis. Conifer, evergreen shrub or tree, 4-6 ft high, 3-5 ft wide. As a tree, it may reach 40 ft tall. Habit is dense and somewhat oval shaped, with branchlets held vertically and nearly parallel in arrangement. Bark is thin, red-brown, separating into papery scales. Leaves are scale-like, bright green but may turn brownish in winter, nearly alike on both sides, those on a main axis glandular, ending in a free spreading point. Cones are oval shaped, tiny, fleshy, blue before they mature, scales thick and hooked. This conifer does best in full sun, opening up with age and may need to be tied to control. Many cultivars available. Plant in well-draining, fertile, moist soil. In dry areas, water regularly.