What is the typical life of an arborvitae tree?
Arborvitae is the common name of Thuja, usually Thuja occidentalis. As
with human beings, lifespan can only be an estimate, due to various
circ*mstances which affect health and longevity. Urban growing conditions
differ from those experienced by plants growing in the wild, for example.
An article in The International Journal of Plant Sciences, Vol. 153, No. 1 (March 1992) by P. E. Kelly, et al. suggests that T. occidentalis growing
on cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada could be over 1,000 years old.
The record for this tree in the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute
database, SelecTree, indicates that its lifespan ranges from 40 to 150
years. Columnar arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis ‘fastigiata,’ is listed as having
a lifespan of 50 to 150 years.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provides more information on Thuja occidentalis, too. Here is an excerpt:
“In a crowded environment, this tree is slender and not well-branched. In
the open, it improves in form and density. The evergreen can be single-
or multi-trunked and columnar or conical in shape. Eastern arborvitae can
grow 40-60 ft. tall, but under cultivation will probably be no taller
than 30 ft. Branches end in flat, spreading, horizontal sprays of
fragrant, dark-green foliage which turns yellow-green or slight brown in
winter. Resinous and aromatic evergreen tree with angled, buttressed,
often branched trunk and a narrow, conical crown of short, spreading
branches.
Probably the first North American tree introduced into Europe, it was
discovered by French explorers and grown in Paris about 1536. The year
before, tea prepared from the foliage and bark, now known to be high in
vitamin C, saved the crew of Jacques Cartier from scurvy. It was named
arborvitae , Latin for tree-of-life, in 1558. The trees grow slowly and
reach an age of 400 years or more.”
An article from the May 2002 issue of the Journal of
Arboriculture lists Thuja occidentalis as a long-lived tree with a medium
growth rate. They define “long” as over 200 years. However, most
arborvitae one sees in urban landscapes would be unlikely to survive that
long, due to many variables (poor planting methods, overcrowding,
pollution, exposure to lawn chemicals, etc.).
FAQs
According to the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, arborvitae, or Thuja occidentalis, has an estimated 50 to 150 years lifespan. The lifespan depends on species as well as environmental conditions.
How long do arborvitae trees last? ›
What is the typical life of an arborvitae tree? differ from those experienced by plants growing in the wild, for example. on cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada could be over 1,000 years old. a lifespan of 50 to 150 years.
What is the downside of arborvitae? ›
Arborvitae face a variety of challenges with pests and disease. Pest problems include bagworms, scale, leafminers, and spider mites. Occasional disease issues such as tip blight can also occur. When plants are young or under stresses, it may also be a good idea to fertilize trees and shrubs on a regular basis.
Why are all my arborvitae turning brown and dying? ›
Watering Considerations: Arborvitae trees generally thrive in moist but well-drained soil. Inadequate watering practices, such as allowing the soil to become excessively dry or waterlogged, can stress the trees, resulting in wilting and browning.
What is the longest living arborvitae tree? ›
The oldest living Arborvitae is thought to have germinated from seed in 952 A.D., and is now 1,071 years old! Based on ring counts on dead trees, there are verified specimens of Arborvitae that lived to be over 1,800 years old.
Will damaged arborvitae grow back? ›
Bare branches without needles likely won't grow back after a deer's gotten to them. But if there is some green growth left, there's hope for your arborvitae! Trim off the branches that are bare, brown or beyond repair. Then, give it water and fertilizer as needed.
Do arborvitae have deep roots? ›
Answer and Explanation: Arborvitae have a shallow, fibrous root system that extends laterally about as far as their drip line.
How far should arborvitae be from house? ›
Plant at least 4 feet from your home or a fence to give the foliage enough air circulation, more if you want to be able to get behind them when they are full size. The roots of the Arborvitae Emerald Green are not invasive so planting near pools, sidewalks, driveways, etc isn't a problem.
Do arborvitaes attract mosquitoes? ›
Expert Response
I don't think the arborvitaes are the cause of your mosquito problem. If a larval or water source cannot be found near your property, it is possible floodwater mosquitoes, such as Aedes vexans, are responsible for your mosquito problem.
What kills green giant arborvitae? ›
If your Thuja 'Green Giant' is growing poorly, turning to reddish brown foliage, and seems to be dying, it could be root rot caused by soggy or saturated soil conditions. Let the soil line get a little dry between waterings. Water in the mornings so the soil has time to dry out during the day.
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to encourage the plants to recover from browning. You just need to wait and see if they bounce back. If the majority of your arborvitae has died, it's likely it won't recover and will need to be replaced.
Should I trim brown off arborvitae? ›
Start by trimming a portion of the dead branch, and continue going bit by bit until you reach green growth. You'll want to completely cut dead or diseased branches back to healthy wood. Pruning arborvitae trees is highly recommended to preserve the tree's health, structure, vigor, and lifespan.
How to tell if your arborvitae is dying? ›
Here are indicators that it may be time to consider removing and replacing browning arborvitae:
- The tree has been declining for more than 2-3 years with no signs of improvement.
- The trunk is brittle or rotting at the base, indicating significant internal damage.
Arborvitae should be fertilized in the early spring following soil test recommendations or with a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as a 20-15-15 or a 10-5-5. Apply one pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet of root area.
Which is better, green giant or emerald green arborvitae? ›
If you live in an area with harsh winters, the cold-resistant qualities of the Emerald Green Arborvitae may make it a more resilient option. These trees can survive in USDA zones 3 & 4 unlike the Thuja Green Giant, which tends to thrive in area with winters that are slightly less harsh.
Which arborvitae only grows to 6 feet? ›
The American Arborvitae is not deer resistant. Holmstrup – 5-6′ tall in 10 years, eventually growing to 10-15′. The dense conical habit makes this a good foundation shrub for corner plantings or a hedge. This is probably the smallest of all the upright arborvitaes.
Do arborvitae ever stop growing? ›
Arborvitaes continue to grow through summer and fall.
What is the lifespan of a Green Giant arborvitae? ›
It has a lifespan of 40 to 60 years. Individuals can be used as specimen plantings. Younger plants may be trimmed into hedges or privacy screens. Groupings planted more closely together, can be used as windbreaks or to reduce noise.
How do you know if arborvitae roots are rotting? ›
Spotting the Red Flags: Symptoms and Diagnosis of Root Rot
Emerald Green Arborvitae owners, take note: yellowing or browning foliage is your plant crying for help. Wilting and stunted growth are the plant's way of waving a white flag. Don't ignore these distress signals.
