American Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis · Cupressaceae (Cypress family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Specialized scale-like evergreen leaves arranged in flat, fan-like spray patterns
Shape
Tiny, flat, scale-like leaves closely appressed to the branchlets, overlapping like shingles
Margin
Entire (smooth edges on individual tiny scales)
Arrangement
Opposite, decussate pairs on flattened branchlets
Venation
Not prominently visible externally on tiny scale leaves, but branchlets show a flattened, fern-like branching venation
Key Features
Flattened, fan-like sprays of aromatic scale-like leaves; tiny resin glands on the leaves; fibrous, shredding reddish-brown bark; small, upright woody cones
Description
An attractive, narrow, conical evergreen conifer with dense, flattened sprays of scale-like foliage. The bark is reddish-brown and fibrous, peeling in narrow strips. It produces small, upright oblong cones that mature from green to brown.
Habitat
Typically found in moist woods, swamps, limestone cliffs, and along rocky riverbanks, preferring alkaline soils and full sun to partial shade
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, spanning from southeastern Canada down through the northeastern and north-central United States