Thuja Plicata - giant life tree

Thuja Plicata, generally known as the giant life tree or Western Red Cedar, belongs to the family of the Cupressaceae. This species is particularly valued as an ornamental plant because of its wood and use. Thuja Plicata originally comes from western North America and plays an important role in the ecosystems of this region. The genus Thuja comprises five species that are common in North America and East Asia. The giant life tree is an important tree species in forestry and horticulture.

Morphological characteristics

Thuja Plicata is an evergreen needle tree that can reach a height of 65 to 70 meters and a diameter of up to 4 meters. The crown is narrow and conical, often irregularly shaped in older trees. The bark is thin, fibrous and reddish-brown, deeply furrowed and flipping in older trees. The branches are flat, hanging and densely covered with scaly leaves that have a length of 1 to 4 millimeters. These leaves are shiny dark green and exude an aromatic fragrance when grinding.

The flowers of Thuja Plicata are inconspicuous and one -house, that is, male and female flowers are on the same plant. The male flowers are small, yellow kittens that appear in spring and produce pollen. The female flowers are small, greenish cones that grow to wooden cones after pollination. These cones are egg -shaped, 10 to 18 millimeters long and consist of 8 to 12 thin, woody scales, each contain two winged seeds.

Ecological claims and distribution

Thuja Plicata prefers moist, well-permeable soils and best thrives in cool and humid climate zones. The plant is relatively shady tolerant and grows well in mixed forests, where it is often associated with other conifers such as Douglasia and Sitka spruce. The giant life tree is hardy and can withstand temperatures up to -30 ° C, which makes it suitable for cultivation in moderate climate zones.

The natural spread of Thuja Plicata extends along the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to northern California and inland to the Rocky Mountains. Because of its economic importance and its decorative properties, it is also cultivated in many other parts of the world.

Cultural and economic importance

Thuja Plicata has a long history of use by indigenous peoples of North America, which used the wood for the construction of houses, canoes and other objects. The wood is light but strong, resistant to putrefaction and insect infestation, and is therefore valued in the construction and furniture industry. It is often used for the construction of fences, terraces, shingles and facade cladding.

In garden art, Thuja Plicata is often planted as an ornamental tree and hedge plant. The plant is well suited for formal hedges, windbreak plantings and as a solitaire tree. Different types were bred to improve specific properties such as growth level, leaf color and disease resistance.

Care and increase

The care of Thuja Plicata is relatively uncomplicated. The plant needs regular irrigation, especially during the first years after planting. A regular pruning promotes a dense growth shape and removes dead or damaged branches. Thuja Plicata benefits from a mulch layer around the basis that receives the soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer supports the growth and health of the plant.

The propagation is mainly done by seeds or cuttings. The seeds need a cold stamping to break the germ rest and promote germination. Coats are taken in late spring or early summer and rooted in a damp, well -permeable substrate. The multiplication of cuttings is often preferred in commercial plant production because it leads to reproducible results faster.