Thuja plicata 'Fastigiata'

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: Low

Dry Soil: Medium

Lime: Medium

Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’, commonly known as the Upright Western Red Cedar, is a distinctive evergreen conifer from the Cupressaceae family, celebrated for its narrow, columnar form and elegant architectural presence. With its dense, upright growth habit, this cultivar provides year-round structure and beauty, making it a versatile and refined choice for gardens, parks, and urban landscapes.

The foliage of Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ consists of flat sprays of rich green, scale-like leaves that remain vibrant throughout the seasons. The foliage emits a pleasant, aromatic fragrance when crushed, adding an extra sensory element to the landscape. Its evergreen nature ensures a lush backdrop all year round, offering consistent texture and colour even through the winter months.

One of the defining features of ‘Fastigiata’ is its tall, slender form. Branches grow vertically, creating a striking pillar-like silhouette that reaches around 7 metres in height within 15 years. This naturally narrow habit makes it a superb option for space-restricted gardens, urban planting schemes, or as a living screen or windbreak where both elegance and practicality are required.

Highly hardy and adaptable, Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ thrives in a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils and in full sun to partial shade, demonstrating strong resistance to wind exposure and colder climates. Compared to similar species such as Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, it is generally more reliable and satisfactory, offering greater resilience and ease of maintenance.

Whether used to create a formal avenue, define garden boundaries, or introduce vertical structure into planting designs, Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ is a timeless and dependable evergreen. Its combination of refined shape, lush colour, and enduring strength makes it a favourite among landscape designers and gardeners seeking both elegance and performance in their planting schemes.

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Size

Large

12m high x 3m wide after 25 years

Environment

Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ is an excellent choice as a single specimen tree or for hedging. Its narrow, upright form makes it particularly well suited to coastal areas, urban gardens, and space-restricted sites. Whether planted for structure, privacy, or architectural appeal, it delivers consistent beauty and practicality throughout the year.

Canopy

The canopy is narrowly conical to pyramidal in shape, featuring a dense and compact structure. The horizontal branching pattern gives the tree a balanced, symmetrical silhouette, while its tight growth habit ensures a refined and elegant profile even in limited spaces.

Foliage

This variety is noted for its fragrant, dark green foliage, made up of scale-like needles that form flattened sprays. The evergreen leaves retain their colour and lustre all year round, providing a vibrant green backdrop through every season.

Bark

The bark is a dark brown that gradually becomes tinged with red as the tree matures, offering a warm contrast to the rich green foliage, particularly during the winter months.

Flowers

The flowers are inconspicuous and yellow, appearing modestly among the foliage in spring.

Fruit

Small, round, hard brown cones follow the flowering period, adding a subtle texture to the canopy.

Resilience

A hardy and adaptable tree that thrives in well-drained soils and tolerates a variety of environmental conditions, including frost, wind, and coastal exposure. Its resilience and reliability make it a long-lived favourite among landscape professionals.

Wildlife

The dense canopy of Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ provides valuable shelter for small birds throughout the year. Its evergreen foliage offers protection from the elements, creating a safe haven for wildlife in both summer and winter.

FAQs

Is Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ suitable for hedging or screening?

Yes, it’s an excellent choice for hedging and privacy screens. The tree’s dense foliage and upright form make it perfect for creating living barriers or windbreaks, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical protection.

Can Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ grow in coastal areas?

Absolutely. This variety is highly tolerant of coastal conditions, including salt-laden winds, making it a dependable choice for coastal gardens and seaside landscapes.

Does Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ need a lot of maintenance?

No, it’s a low-maintenance tree. Occasional trimming can help maintain shape, particularly if grown as a hedge, but otherwise it requires very little intervention once established.