Plant field guide
Arborvitae (Techny)
Broad pyramidal arborvitae known for holding its dark green color through winter when others turn bronze. Dense branching provides excellent screening. Extremely cold hardy to zone 2.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Thuja occidentalis 'Techny'
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 120 in (305 cm) – 180 in (457 cm)
- Spread
- 72 in (183 cm) – 96 in (244 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 2–7; average annual extreme minimum from -50°F (-45.6°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: June, July.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
One of the best for maintaining green winter color. Broader form than columnar types. Tolerates some shade. Very cold hardy.
Pruning
Shear in early summer for formal hedge. Otherwise needs minimal pruning. Don't cut into old brown wood.
Fertilizer
Balanced evergreen fertilizer
Early spring
Mulch
2-3 inches of organic mulch.