Description of Plant

Leaf: The leaves are scale-like and small with gland dots. They are a dull yellow-green above and a paler blue-green beneath.

Cones: The cones are elliptical, light brown, and grow upright from a short curved stalk with 8-10 paired cone scales.

Twig: The twigs branch out in a horizontal plane and are pointed.

Bark: The bark is an orange brown color that peels in vertical stripes.

Form: An aromatic evergreen with a branched trunk and a crown of short spreading branches. It can grow to a height of 40-70 feet and a diameter of 1-3 feet.

Discussion of Plant

The American Arborvitae is also known as white cedar. It was one of the first North American trees to be grown in Europe. It was discovered by French explorers and then grown in Paris in 1536. Tea made from the bark and leaves is known to be high in vitamin C. It actually saved the crew of Jacques Cartier from scurvy and thus got its name arborvitae, which is Latin for tree of life. It is a very slow growing tree that lives 400 years or more.

Copyright

Sue Grabowski, Gail Slowinski, Carl Schurz High School 2003

References

Coombes, Allen, J, Smithsonian Handbook of Trees, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2002.

Little, Elbert, L., Field Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1980.

Symonds, George, W.D., The Tree Identification Book, Quill Publishing, New York, N.Y. 1958.