THUYA 



The arborvitae belong to the genus Thuya, a word derived from the 

 Greek signifying sacrifice, probably because the resin procured from the tree 

 was used as incense. The Latin meaning of aborvitae is &quot;Tree of Life,&quot; which 

 signifies the reverence which prompted the name. 



Arborvitae embraces four species which are confined to northeastern and 

 southeastern America, Japan and Northern China. Two species are native 

 to America, one being the white cedar of the northeastern United States, and 

 the other, western red cedar, sometimes called the giant arborvitae or gigantic 

 cedar. 



Arborvitae are tall and symmetrical in their native state with a formal, 

 conical habit. The branches are spreading with flattened branchlets covered 

 with leaves overlapping like scales. Many garden forms have been developed 

 which offer considerable variety of color and texture which are desirable 

 features among evergreen foliage plants. They make beautiful lawn speci 

 mens, and are particularly effective near the border of water. Some varieties 

 are well adapted for hedges since they bear pruning well. They are easily 

 transplanted, are adaptable to a variety of soils and grow rapidly. 



Giant Arborvitae 



Giant arborvitae (Thuya gigantea), attains magnificent proportions in 

 its native habitat on fertile bottom lands near Puget Sound and Vancouver 

 Island where specimens zoo feet high and fifteen or sixteen feet in diameter 

 have been found. From this tree the Indians have carved most of their mas 

 sive totem poles some of which are fifty feet in height. These poles are strik 

 ingly colored and skilfully hewed into grotesque figures of men and beasts. 

 The Indians also made war canoes from a single cedar log which were often 

 sixty feet or more in length, eight feet across at the widest point, and capable 

 of carrying a load upward of thirty tons. 



Giant arborvitae does well under cultivation. It retains living branches 

 almost to the ground, forming a stately and symmetrical spire of green. Young 

 trees have slender, upcurving limbs, but as the tree increases in age it gradually 

 develops a rounded top. The trunk is tapering with a fluted base on which the 

 grayish-brown bark is separated into narrow strips by seams which extend 

 irregularly the length of the trunk. It is without doubt one of our most hand 

 some native trees. 



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