Thuja plicata 'Haley Bop' / Haley Bop western red-cedar

Thuja plicata 'Haley Bop' is arguably one of most unique miniature conifers ever found. Imagine a lumpy crumpled mass of bright green vegetation that looks more like some sort of cactus than a conifer and you will be begin to get the picture. Annual rate of growth is only around 0.25 inch (0.5 cm) meaning a 10-year-old plant will only measure 3 to 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm) tall and wide.

This cultivar was discovered by Dick North in a flat of Western Red cedar seedlings that was said to have been irradiated by the cosmic rays of Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997, causing the genetic mutation.

This is a delicate and extremely slow-growing cultivar of a magnificent timber tree that, if found, should be planted within the protected confines of a rock garden.

Thuja plicata 'Haley Bop' — an exceptional specimen at the Jean Iseli Memorial Garden, Boring, Oregon.
Photo by Randall Smith, Iseli Nursery, inc.
© Iseli Nursery
Thuja plicata 'Haley Bop' — a closeup detailing the rather peculiar foliage and growth habit.
Photo by Christopher Law, Iseli Nursery, inc.
A very old specimen of Thuja plicata 'Haley Bop' at the Stanley & Sons Nursery in Boring, OR. This is possibly one of the oldest known plants in existence. It is approximately 20 years old and is the size of a baseball.
Photo by David Olszyk
Thuja plicata 'Haley Bop' — a young, potted plant.
Photo by David Olszyk

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