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Thuya occidentalis 'Congabe'

Common Name(s):

Fire Chief arborvitae

Northern White cedar Fire Chief

Synonym:

​

Swamo cedar Fire Chief

Flower:

No Flower

Blooms :

​

to:

​

​

Botanical Description

Fragrant?

YES

Family:

Cupressaceae

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Foliage:

Green

Leaves scale-like

Fall Color?

YES

Foliage remains green

Evergreen

Photo by: 

Heading 6

Evergreen coniferous shrub

Oregon Native?

NO

West State Native?

NO

Origins:

Eastern North America

Site Selection

Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:

5

Water Needs:

M

Sun Needs:

Full Sun

Deer Resistant?

NO

Firewise?

NO

Height:

3-4'

Spread:

3-4'

Growth Rate:

Slow

Native Habitat:

Wet forests, swamps, lake shores

Soil:

Chalk, clay, loam, moist well-drained

Care Recommendations

Maintenance Level:

Low

Fertilizer:

Use a slow-release granular fertilizer for acid-loving plants

Mulch:

2-3" layer of organic mulch

Little needed except occasional pruning to maintain growth habit, water consistently, give full sun, fertilize if needed

Long Term:

Winter:

Mulch if not done in fall, consider using burlap to protect from harsh winds that cause winter burn

Spring:

Prune out any winter burn, fertilize, ensure well watered, mulch

Summer:

Regular watering is essential, give afternoon shade, mulch if not done in spring, light shear late summer if needed

Fall:

Continue to water, if live in an area with harsh dey winters apply an anti-desiccant, mulch

General Care Comments:

Don't overwater, apply mulch to protect roots, fertilize if needed, plant in full sun

Common Problems

Winter burn, overgrow space if not kept pruned

Diseases:

Tip blight, twig blight, root rot, canker

Insects:

Bagworms, spider mites, mealybugs, scale leaf miners

Environmental Problems:

Winter burn, snow and ice damage

Pests:

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