No reason to cry over this cool, coniferous evergreen. This uncommon variety of arborvitae sports “weeping” branches that droop towards the ground, giving it a dramatic flair. The trunk bark is reddish brown or reddish gray in color and grows in slightly ragged vertical strips, and the evergreen foliage is narrow and thread-like, adding fine texture to the garden year-round. Like its cypress relatives, arborvitae develops male and female seed cones on the same tree that are cross-pollinated by the wind. Gardeners may need to practice some patience waiting for this slow-growing tree, but in the right conditions, the straight species can reach 400-800 years of age! How aboot that, eh?
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; average to moist soils
Size: 15’-25’ tall; 15’-20’ spread
Zone: 2 – 7
Wildlife Value: Provide shelters for birds and small mammals; cones eaten by sparrows and squirrels
Photo: Samantha Nestory