Today we planted 25 Oriental Arborvitae seedlings along 100 feet of the south fence line. The seedlings were shipped from West Texas Nursery in Idalou Texas, part of the Texas A & M Forest Service. Home | West Texas Nursery
The following information is from The Morton Arboretum - The Morton Arboretum
Oriental arborvitae
Oriental arborvitae is similar in appearance to other species of arborvitae. Nurseries usually sell the cultivars of this plant rather than the actual species and those cultivars can vary greatly in appearance. Winter protection may be needed for this plant. Because it is typically short in stature, oriental arborvitae may be planted under utility lines. Also known as Thuja orientalis.
Botanical name:
Platycladus orientalis
All common names:
oriental arborvitae
Family (English):
Cypress
Family (Botanic):
Cupressaceae
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks,
- Under utility lines
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Foundation,
- Hedge,
- Mixed border,
- Patio/sidewalk,
- Screen,
- Specimen,
- Utility
Size Range:
- Small tree (15-25 feet),
- Compact tree (10-15 feet),
- Large shrub (more than 8 feet),
- Medium shrub (5-8 feet),
- Small shrub (3-5 feet)
Mature Height:
18-25 feet
Mature Width:
10-15 feet
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7,
- Zone 8,
- Zone 9,
- Zone 10,
- Zone 11
Soil Preference:
- Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances:
- Dry sites,
- Alkaline soil
Acid Soils:
- Tolerant
Alkaline Soils:
- Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Moderately Tolerant
Soil Salt:
- Intolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Tolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Intolerant
A few days later I realized we found some poison ivy. Itch, itch, itch....yuck!
Update on May 7
These plants have not been doing very well where they are planted. I decided to put them in pots and put the pots around the vegetable garden. They seem to be doing better but just not thriving.....