Arborvitae

Description

Any cedar-like evergreen from the genus Thuja, such as Thuja occidentalis (American arborvitae) and Thuja plicata (Giant arborvitae). Both trees are native to North America and cultivated in Europe. The coarse, durable wood is aromatic, lightweight, and soft. It is used for storage chests, shingles, poles, fences, and posts. Aromatic Thuja oil is extracted from the white cedar tree leaves.

Synonyms and Related Terms

western red cedar (giant arborvitae - Thuja plicata ); northern white cedar (American arborvitae - Thuja occidentalis); tuia (Port.); thuya (Esp., Fr.); arbor vitae (It.); Riesenlebensbaum (Deut.); tree of life; thuja; yellow cedar

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Color: red brown with yellow streaks.
• Rings: distinct.
• Pores: absent.
• Grain: faint.
• Rays: obscure.
• Soft, lightweight aromatic.
• Density: 23 ppcf

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 808

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 9531

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "arborvitae." Accessed 7 Apr. 2005 .

• H.L.Edlin, What Wood is That?, Viking Press, New York, 1969