Thuja plicata Excelsa - Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata Excelsa - Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata Excelsa
Western Red Cedar, Pacific Red Cedar, Giant Red Cedar
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Description
Thuja plicata 'Excelsa' is one of the most planted varieties of Giant California Thuja in Europe. Perfectly hardy, very tolerant of repeated pruning and fast-growing in moist soil, this large conifer allows for the creation of large, dense evergreen screens that are effective against both wind and prying eyes. Its dark green glossy foliage, which is aromatic when broken, is adorned with fairly decorative green cones that turn brown when mature. It should be planted in a sunny position and can be grown without difficulty in any deep, not too dry soil in summer.
Thuja plicata, also known as Western Redcedar or Lobb's Thuja, is an evergreen conifer of the cypress family native to the northwest of North America, particularly northern California. In its natural environment, this giant reaches heights of 50 to 60 metres (164 to 196 feet 11 inches) and can develop a trunk with a diameter of 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) when it reaches the end of its existence at around 700 years old. It has long been exploited for its soft and durable wood, known in Europe as 'Red cedar'. This giant reigns in the thickness of lush forests (California is not just a arid desert), but also descends to the banks of rivers or colonizes swampy forests. It is a shade-tolerant species, even in dense shade, and thrives in humid conditions. Its scale-like foliage is the flattest in the genus.
The 'Excelsa' variety is very similar to the cultivar 'Atrovirens' but is distinguished by a broader and more conical habit with age and less dense and more spreading branching. Its growth is fast, so it will reach a height of about 12 metres (39 feet 5 inches) and a spread of 7 metres (23 feet) if not regularly pruned. In our gardens, planting it in a dense hedge and annual pruning help maintain it at more reasonable proportions, around 5 to 7 metres (16 feet 5 inches to 23 feet) in height and 1 metre (3 feet 4 inches) in spread. This conifer has flattened branches covered with scale-like leaves. The leaves, overlapping each other, give the branchlets a flat appearance. The foliage is aromatic and dark green throughout the year, slightly bronzing in winter. Its fruits, measuring 1.2cm (0.5 in), are green and turn brown in autumn.
The 'Excelsa' Thuja, with its ease of cultivation, high tolerance to pruning, and dense growth, is a variety that has proven itself, preferably in cool climates. It adapts to almost any condition except dense shade and dry soils. Its density protects the garden all year round, and its dark silhouette, highlights any flowerbed through chromatic contrast, especially white blooms (mock orange, serviceberries, 'Snow Fairy' rose...) and light-coloured foliage (Salix cinerea, Salix exigua) or golden foliage (Gingko biloba 'Blagon', Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ivonne'). Like all evergreens in gardens, it brings color and liveliness in all seasons.
Thuja plicata Excelsa - Western Red Cedar in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Thuja
plicata
Excelsa
Cupressaceae
Western Red Cedar, Pacific Red Cedar, Giant Red Cedar
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Thuja plicata 'Excelsa' is planted from September to November and from February to June in deep, ordinary but loose and not too heavy, limestone soil, close to neutrality or even slightly acidic, retaining freshness. This variety dreads drought. It will thrive in a sunny and open exposure although it also tolerates shade. Soak the root balls well before planting. Optionally add organic amendment to the planting and water generously in the first years, and in case of prolonged drought. In very poor soil, you can apply special conifer fertilizer every year in April and cultivate the soil in summer. This hardy conifer (up to -25°C (-13 °F) at least) tolerates pruning perfectly, up to twice a year in April and August. It has the ability to produce young shoots even on old wood.
Its enemies are mainly red spiders and scale insects, which thrive in hot and dry weather. Armillaria or root rot can also develop on the roots. Thuja plicata can also present cankers on its branches.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.