Chinese arborvitae

Profile

Family

Cupressaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

15 m

Spread

5 m

Growth

very slow

Lifespan

1000 years

First yield

after 6 years

Hardiness

zone 6–8

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

dry – very moist

pH

6 – 8

Synonyms

P. stricta. Biota orientalis. Thuja orientalis. L.

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Seeds - after removing the bitterness. The bitterness in seeds is usually removed by leaching in water or thorough boiling.

Medicinal: This plant is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as one of the 50 essential herbs. Its leaves have various medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antipyretic, and expectorant. They are utilized to address conditions like coughs, bronchitis, and skin infections. The plant's seeds are known for their soothing and sedative effects, beneficial for treating insomnia and nervous disorders. Additionally, the root bark is applied to heal burns, while the stems are used for coughs and rheumatism.

Other uses: Tolerates frequent trimming to be grown as a thick hedge. Young branches yield a yellow dye. The wood is long-lasting in the ground, moderately hard, with a fine to coarse grain, lightweight, soft, and fragile. It is utilized in building, carpentry, and barrel-making.

Growing

Thrives in moist, loamy soil and prefers dry, well-drained, often alkaline locations. Grows well on old building rubble, tolerates dry, dusty areas and urban pollution, and prefers a sunny, sheltered spot. Easy to transplant. Numerous named cultivars chosen for their decorative appeal. Produces seeds abundantly when cultivated. A slow-growing tree that struggles, especially in the western regions. Best specimens are in urban areas like Oxford and gardens with highly-drained soils. Unable to regenerate from old wood, pruning is generally unnecessary, and if needed, should be done cautiously. Susceptible to attack by the honey fungus.

Propagation

Seeds are most effectively planted in a cool environment during autumn when they are fully mature. For optimal germination, it is beneficial to expose stored seeds to a brief period of cold treatment. Following this, they can be planted in a cool environment in late winter. Initial growth of the plants will be minimal in the first year. Once the seedlings reach a suitable size, they should be transferred to individual pots and kept in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. The plants can then be relocated to their permanent position in late spring or early summer, after the final frost of the season. If there is an adequate seed supply, it is advisable to create an outdoor seedbed in April. The plants should be allowed to grow for a minimum of two years before being transplanted in winter. Cuttings from semi-mature wood, measuring 5-8 cm with a heel, should be obtained in July or August within a shaded frame. These cuttings will develop roots by the end of September and should be kept in a frame over the winter. Cuttings from nearly mature wood, measuring 5-10 cm with a heel, should be taken in September in a cool environment. They will root the following summer and can be planted outdoors in autumn or spring.

Notable

Special features: opaque and very tolerant to cutting, except in old wood; tolerates dry and dusty locations and air pollution: also good on rubble; easy to transplant; prefers steep, fresh south-facing slopes at an altitude of 300 - 3000m in warm, light forests and bushes; There are small-growing varieties for rock gardens: 'Aurea Nana' (2.5m) and 'Sieboldii' (2m);

Origin & habitat

East Asia - Western China, North Korea. There is also a small population of these animals in the northeast of Iran.

Swamps and cold, rocky stream edges create thick forests that are nearly impossible to navigate. These plants thrive on rocky terrains with neutral to alkaline calcareous soils.

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