Arbor Vitae, a coniferous tree (thvja), with compressed evergreen foliage forming flattened branches, strongly aromatic. Varieties are found throughout the northern temperate regions of both continents. The tree bears pruning well, and may be trimmed into conical or pyramidal standards, or worked into an excellent hedge. In its wild state the American arbor vitae (T. occidentalis) has loose spreading branches when growing on the edges of streams, but it becomes bushy in cultivation. Its height varies from 20 to 50 feet, and it is one of the largest of all the species. The Chinese, Nepaulese, Siberian, and Tartarean are all beautiful varieties and easily cultivated, although in northern New England they are apt to lose their branches by frost. The thuja plicata is a curious variety from Nootka sound, with singular foliage. The cone of thvja is small, and in ripening assumes a vertical position on the branches.

American Arbor Vitae.