American Arborvitae 6-12"

American Arborvitae 6-12" | Thuja occidentalis | Evergreen Privacy Tree

The American Arborvitae 6-12" (Thuja occidentalis) is a widely popular, native evergreen that is sure to please with its deep green foliage and beautiful, distinctive red bark.

Plant Details | American Arborvitae Tree Specs & Growth Info 6-12"

Family: Cupressaceae

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Water Needs: Moist

Height: 20 – 40 ft.

Spread: 10 – 15 ft.

Growth Rate: Fast

Wildlife Value: Attracts birds, butterflies

Landscape Uses | How to Grow & Maintain Arborvitae 6-12”

The American Arborvitae 6-12" has deep green, flat needles, small brown cones, and a distinctive red-tinted bark that peels away from the trunk in strips. It grows in an upright and pyramidal habit.

This is an excellent choice for creating a winter garden, to have in your yard or garden as an ornamental focal point or accent, or to create a living privacy screen or hedge.

This is a low maintenance tree that will bring great beauty and elegance to your landscape.

Plant in a location that has full sun to partial shade. It will grow the best in a location with full sun. Its growth will be severely limited in the shade.

Plant this tree in a location with alkaline to neutral soil. This tree prefers moist and well draining soil. It can tolerate different soils, including heavy clay soils, sand, and loam. Keep this tree watered consistently until it becomes well established. Avoid planting it in a location with dry soil, as this tree needs high levels of moisture.

High winds? You should avoid planting this tree in a windy location; it can be prone to breakage with winter storms.

This tree will not need routine pruning. Prune this tree when you notice damaged, decaying, or diseased branches.

Deer prefer this plant. Keep it protected against browsing damage while it is young, especially in the winter.

Birds will use this tree for shelter and eat its seeds. Squirrels and other mammals will eat its seeds too.

Noteworthy Characteristics | Wildlife Value & Cold Hardy Benefits

American Arborvitae 6-12" can tolerate being planted near Black Walnut.

This tree is a host plant to many butterflies, including the Promethea Silk Moth.

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How to Grow and Care for Evergreen Trees

Evergreen trees are prized for their year-round foliage, offering privacy, windbreaks, and structure to the landscape no matter the season. Popular varieties like pine, spruce, cedar, and arborvitae thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a planting site with enough space for mature height and spread, and plant in early spring or fall when temperatures are mild.

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough to keep the root flare slightly above ground level. Backfill with native soil, water deeply, and apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base—keeping it several inches away from the trunk. Water regularly during the first year to establish a deep, healthy root system.

Once established, most evergreen trees are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Prune sparingly to maintain shape or remove dead branches, and fertilize in early spring if needed. With the right care, evergreen trees provide lasting beauty, shade, and shelter throughout the year.

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