American Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis

Full Sun,

Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Well-drained, Wet,

Providing shelter in the winter and nesting sites for grackles, robins and house finches in the summer, this evergreen is also browsed by deer, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares and an occasional moose. The seeds are eaten by red squirrels and birds such as pine siskins.

The name arborvitae, is a Latin form of the French, "l'arbre de vie," which means, "tree of life." Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who assigned the Latin name to this species, picked up on other traits. The genus name, Thuja, is from a Greek word for perfume. Squeezing the evergreen leaves releases an aroma that is nothing less than nature's perfume.

America arborvitae was useful in early canoes and medicines and became the first North American tree to be introduced to Europe. The specific name, occidentalis, means "west," the direction from Sweden where this tree was discovered.