print Print
Nigra American ArborvitaeThuja occidentalis 'Nigra'
Nigra' arborvitae is an upright, cone shaped, narrow evergreen with flattened sprays of dense, deep green foliage and good winter color. It is a hardy, relatively low maintenance tree and takes pruning well. It makes an excellent vertical accent, wind or privacy screen, natural fence or hedge. A cultivar of our native North American arborvitae, 'Nigra' grows slowly to 20'-30' high with a spread of 4'-10 wide. Plant 3' apart for a hedge. It adapts to a wide range of soils, but prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well drained sites. Avoid dry soil and protect from drying winds. Zones 3-7.
Hardiness Zones
The nigra american arborvitae can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 3–7. View Map
Tree Type
This is an evergreen tree, keeping its foliage year-round.
Mature Size
The Nigra American arborvitae grows to a height of 20–30' and a spread of 4–10' at maturity.
Growth Rate
This tree grows at a slow rate, with height increases of less than 12" per year.
Sun Preference
Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
Soil Preference
The Nigra American arborvitae grows well in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained, wet and clay soils.
Attributes
This tree:
- Features tiny, scale-like leaves that are packed closely together in overlapping rows on branchlets, displaying in a flattened, fan-like spray.
- Maintains its dark green throughout the winter.
- Adapts well to pruning.
- Yields seed cones that are not particularly showy.
- Can be planted 3' apart for a low-maintenance hedge.
- Tolerates air pollution.
- Should be protected from drying winds and dry soil.
- Grows in a pyramidal shape.