Northern white cedar is a common Northern conifer, found mostly in the Great Lakes and Acadian forest regions. Populations can be found sporadically in the Appalachians south to Tennessee and North Carolina. White cedar is typically found in moist, well drained to swampy habitats, and prefers the cool climates of the North. White cedar is tolerant of both shady and open conditions, though growth is typically best in a sunny spot with a Northern or Eastern aspect. Hot, dry sites cause white cedar to suffer and perform poorly.
Northern white cedar typically grows 45-75 feet tall, though in exceptional sites they can grow nearly 100 feet tall. Trees are upright-conical, usually much taller than they are wide, with a deep green hue that takes on a bronzy-red cast in the Winter. Flat ranks of foliage are shed every year; each season's growth is shed the following season in mid-Autumn, forming a nice mulch under the trees.
Plant Northern White Cedar in good, acidic to neutral soils in full sun for best growth; white cedar is excellent for use in a hedge or screen as part of a mixed planting. White cedar provides cover for birds and small mammals in the wintertime, and the abundant cones are an excellent food source for songbirds. Deer also favor white cedar as a browse tree, which is both an asset and a liability depending on your conservation or landscape goals. White cedar performs well when planted with spruce, oaks and birch. Water well the first year and during drought periods, as white cedar is not at all drought tolerant.
Our 2-year old Quart SuperPlug Liners are 12-18 inches tall, and are from a Northern Wisconsin seed strain.
| Common Name: | Northern White Cedar |
| Botanical Name: | Thuja occidentalis |
