Walk
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Oriental Arborvitae
(Platycladus orientalis)
NORTHWEST CORNER OF OLD MAIN
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| Walk
back to
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Oriental Arborvitae |
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(Platycladus orientalis) |
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NORTHWEST CORNER OF OLD MAIN |
| 34 | Classic foundation shrub, now grown huge |
| In Depth | Platycladus orientalis, Oriental Arborvitae |
| Location: NORTHWEST CORNER OF OLD MAIN | |
| Family: Cupressaceae | |
| Distribution: Western China and North Korea; northeastern Iran | |
| Habitat: Steep rocky hillsides and cliffs | |
| Habit: Dense shrub-like conifer with conical form | |
| Flowering: Female cones are small bluish-green, male cones are small and inconspicuous | |
| Natural History Notes: This evergreen tree has become very popular for landscaping purposes throughout the world for many years, especially in the south, southwestern sections of the U.S., southern Europe, and eastern Asia. It is one of the standard evergreens for low maintenance in mesic gardens. Foliage has a vertical quality. Even older specimens usually keep their foliage dense all the way to the ground, making the species a common choice for wind breaks and screening. Arborvitae is reasonably very tolerant in chalky or alkaline soils, which is commonly the situation in arid areas. However, no one would call it a desert plant. |