Thuja occidentalis'Nigra' is a compact, conical selection of eastern arborvitae with exceptionally dark-green foliage that retains good green color in the winter in cold climates. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 6 feet (2 m) tall and 3 feet (1 m) wide, an annual growth rate of 6 to 8 inches (15 - 20 cm).
This is an rather old cultivar in the nursery trade that unfortunately is of unknown origin. It is thought to have originated in the USA in the 1930s. L. H. Bailey formally described it in his 1933 book, Cultivated Conifers in North America.
An attractive grouping of Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra' in an arboretum setting.
Photo by Jesse Saylor
Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by James H. Schutte
Comments
Carolyn Wenstrup
We planted a Thuja 'Nigra' (arborvitae) in the spring. Now that it is fall it has a lot of brown ... is that normal?
Maxwell Cohn
Hi Carolyn, it's perfectly normal for this species to shed up to 25% of its internal foliage every fall. In your case, it was almost certainly amplified by the fact that you planted in spring (that's a really bad time to be planting trees in most parts of the country).
Hector
Is this article describing a miniature Black cedar (Thuja Nigra)?. Other sites list it's height of up to 20 feet when here it states to only grow up to 6feet.
Maxwell Cohn
absolutely not, Hector! ... it's describing an intermediate-growing arborvitae (not cedar) that has the cultivar name 'Nigra' because of its exceptionally dark foliage, particularly in winter.
As for the growth metrics: 6 feet in 10 years / 20 feet in 25 to 30 years is correct and extremely accurate. Miniature implies a foot or less of growth in 10 years.
Isaac
I have planted around 100 of these on my property last fall. Growth and colour seem to be on track, but I was wondering if any fertilization would be recommended before winter hits (hardiness 6a-6b)? I have read bone meal can be useful, but other sites state that no fertilizer is required.
Any advice is super appreciated!
Maxwell Cohn
Isaac, NEVER apply fertilizer to the landscape unless a soil test reveals that you're deficient in something. Applying bone meal to the soil surface doesn't do anything, but it's handy for establishing bulbs when planting in the fall.
Millie Rogers
Really enjoy reading all the questions and answers. Thank you for that.
We just planted an eight foot black cedar in our back yard for privacy. We live in Oakville a very urban area. Our soil here is clay. The people who planted it for us told us to keep it well watered. Can you give me a little more information on the watering i.e how much and how often?
Thank you.
Millie
Maxwell Cohn
Hello Millie ... since there's an Oakville in every state, it's going to be a little harder to answer your question. The general answer is that you'll need to keep a close eye on irrigation for the first five years. In order to determine whether it needs a drink, thrust a finger into to the soil up to the second knuckle. If it's dry, water it. If it's damp, check again in a few days.
Millie Rogers
Thank you David I really appreciate your response. I should have told you our location is in Oakville, which is in southern Ontario Canada.
Maxwell Cohn
see? ... that's a huge difference. I assumed Oakville WA, or Oakville, CA ... in the case of Ontario, you should be good until spring. Make sure the soil is damp, then wait for everything to freeze. It would also be a good idea to mulch and wrap if that's your thing.
Ronald Schlak
And with a plant that size , Millie , a slow watering with a hose on a trickle will ensure water gets all the way down the root ball
Kate Kaiser
I've planted about eight Nigra arbor vitae over the last twenty years and they've been doing well while others (like spruce did not) Last summer two of them started to look overly orange/brown. A forester told me it might have been from winter blight and not to trim the dead leaves. Through fall and winter the others have become mostly orange/brown. They don't appear to have a fungus. Any advice welcome.
Sara Malone
Hi Kate hard to diagnose over the internet with no photos. Have you tried your local cooperative extension? You can take in a sample.
Jessica Shannon
Hello Kate. I just purchased five 6' tall arborvitae nigras to add some privacy to our yard. We will be planting them in a straight line and everything I've read online says to plant them 5-6 feet apart for privacy (3 feet for a hedge, which we're not doing), but the employee at the nursery said to plant them10 feet apart. What do you suggest? Thank you!
Comments
We planted a Thuja 'Nigra' (arborvitae) in the spring. Now that it is fall it has a lot of brown ... is that normal?
Hi Carolyn, it's perfectly normal for this species to shed up to 25% of its internal foliage every fall. In your case, it was almost certainly amplified by the fact that you planted in spring (that's a really bad time to be planting trees in most parts of the country).
Is this article describing a miniature Black cedar (Thuja Nigra)?. Other sites list it's height of up to 20 feet when here it states to only grow up to 6feet.
absolutely not, Hector! ... it's describing an intermediate-growing arborvitae (not cedar) that has the cultivar name 'Nigra' because of its exceptionally dark foliage, particularly in winter.
As for the growth metrics: 6 feet in 10 years / 20 feet in 25 to 30 years is correct and extremely accurate. Miniature implies a foot or less of growth in 10 years.
I have planted around 100 of these on my property last fall. Growth and colour seem to be on track, but I was wondering if any fertilization would be recommended before winter hits (hardiness 6a-6b)? I have read bone meal can be useful, but other sites state that no fertilizer is required.
Any advice is super appreciated!
Isaac, NEVER apply fertilizer to the landscape unless a soil test reveals that you're deficient in something. Applying bone meal to the soil surface doesn't do anything, but it's handy for establishing bulbs when planting in the fall.
Really enjoy reading all the questions and answers. Thank you for that.
We just planted an eight foot black cedar in our back yard for privacy. We live in Oakville a very urban area. Our soil here is clay. The people who planted it for us told us to keep it well watered. Can you give me a little more information on the watering i.e how much and how often?
Thank you.
Millie
Hello Millie ... since there's an Oakville in every state, it's going to be a little harder to answer your question. The general answer is that you'll need to keep a close eye on irrigation for the first five years. In order to determine whether it needs a drink, thrust a finger into to the soil up to the second knuckle. If it's dry, water it. If it's damp, check again in a few days.
Thank you David I really appreciate your response. I should have told you our location is in Oakville, which is in southern Ontario Canada.
see? ... that's a huge difference. I assumed Oakville WA, or Oakville, CA ... in the case of Ontario, you should be good until spring. Make sure the soil is damp, then wait for everything to freeze. It would also be a good idea to mulch and wrap if that's your thing.
And with a plant that size , Millie , a slow watering with a hose on a trickle will ensure water gets all the way down the root ball
I've planted about eight Nigra arbor vitae over the last twenty years and they've been doing well while others (like spruce did not) Last summer two of them started to look overly orange/brown. A forester told me it might have been from winter blight and not to trim the dead leaves. Through fall and winter the others have become mostly orange/brown. They don't appear to have a fungus. Any advice welcome.
Hi Kate hard to diagnose over the internet with no photos. Have you tried your local cooperative extension? You can take in a sample.
Hello Kate. I just purchased five 6' tall arborvitae nigras to add some privacy to our yard. We will be planting them in a straight line and everything I've read online says to plant them 5-6 feet apart for privacy (3 feet for a hedge, which we're not doing), but the employee at the nursery said to plant them10 feet apart. What do you suggest? Thank you!