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thuja tree

The thuja tree is a popular evergreen conifer, cherished by New Zealand gardeners for its lush, feathery foliage and versatile uses in the landscape. Whether you need a dense privacy hedge, a handsome specimen tree, or a windbreak for your garden, the thuja tree delivers year-round beauty with minimal fuss. With their naturally symmetrical shape and vibrant green to golden hues, these hardy conifers create a structured, elegant backdrop or focal point in any outdoor space.

A young Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar) tree in a forest standing four metres tall.

Thuja plicata

Thuja plicata, commonly known as the Western Red Cedar, is a conifer that grows into an attractive and large tree. It grows with a dense, conical shape, producing green foliage that develops distinctive bronze tones during winter as it slowly grows to about 25 m tall and 15 m wide. The Western Red Cedar is commonly grown for timber production, but also makes for a stunning specimen in a large garden or park.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Conifers
Height: 25.00 m
Spread: 15.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Coastal, Modern
thuja-old-gold-

Thuja plicata Old Gold (Thuja Old Gold)

5 from 1 customers

Thuja plicata Old Gold features foliage that is rich yellow and develops bronze tones in winter. It is held in clusters which produces a layered appearance and an interesting texture as it grows to 5 m tall and 3 m wide. Thuja Old Gold is commonly included in large gardens as a specimen, or used for shelter or screening.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Conifers
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' hedge with bright green foliage.

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (Green Cedar)

Thuja 'Smaragd', commonly known as the Green or Emerald Cedar, grows with a narrow, dense, and columnar habit. The foliage is rich green, sometimes...

From$33.68
Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis' trees with lush green foliage standing 1.5 metres tall in a plant nursery ready for sale.

Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis'

Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis' is an elegant conifer that grows with a narrow and dense, pyramidal shape. The foliage is dark green, sometimes...

From$33.68
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' trees standing 5 m tall as a lush, green screen.

Thuja 'Green Giant'

Thuja 'Green Giant' is a smaller variety of Cedar and bears sprays of glossy, dark green foliage held on slender stems. The result is a tree with a...

From$33.68
A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).

Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree)

Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

From$277.74
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Fraxinus Purple Spire

Fraxinus Purple Spire is a popular variety of the commonly known, Claret Ash, and is grown for its impressive form and brilliant autumn colours. It...

From$343.89
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Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm)

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata, commonly known as Field Elm or Variegated Elm tree, is a stately, deciduous tree grown for its colourful foliage. The...

From$432.79
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Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$343.89
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Fraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as the European Ash or Common Ash, is a large and stately, deciduous tree grown for its rich and colourful...

From$299.92
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Jute Tree Tie

The Jute Tree Tie is non-abrasive and very popular because it wont cause tree damage. The 50 mm wide fabric is heavy duty and designed to support...

From$53.65
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Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$391.14
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Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
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Fraxinus excelsior aurea

Fraxinus excelsior aurea, commonly known as the Golden Ash tree, is a large and stately, deciduous tree. The leaves emerge light green-yellow in...

From$343.89
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Lagunaria patersonia

Lagunaria patersonia, commonly known as the Primrose Tree, is an attractive, evergreen tree featuring lovely flowers. The showy, single flowers are...

From$343.89
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Aesculus hippocastanum Baumannii

Aesculus hippocastanum Baumannii, commonly known as the Horse Chestnut, is a lovely, spreading tree. It bears large, upright sprays of double, white...

From$450.68
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Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree)

Schinus molle, commonly known as the California Pepper Tree, is an evergreen tree grown for its attractive form and foliage. The leaves are bright...

From$299.92
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Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood)

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly known as the Dawn Redwood, is a deciduous tree that features fine, needle like, rich-green leaves which turn...

From$343.89
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Robinia Lace Lady

Robinia Lace Lady, commonly known as the False Acacia tree, is a deciduous tree grown for its lace-like foliage and pendulous form. The showy foliage...

From$299.92
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Tree Fertiliser (Tree Fertiliser)

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$12.50
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$432.79
Phyllocladus trichomanoides lush green foliage.

Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Celery Pine)

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, commonly called Celery Pine, is a striking New Zealand native tree valued for its unique, celery like foliage and tall...

From$457.29
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$26.93
Tabebuia rosea tree with masses of pink flowers.

Tabebuia rosea

Tabebuia rosea, commonly known as Pink Poui or Rosy Trumpet Tree, is a large tree grown for its amazing flowers. Showy clusters of pink flowers coat...

From$43.13
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Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (Monkeys Hand Tree)

Commonly known as the Monkeys Hand Tree, this is an evergreen tree grown for its flowers and stature. Amidst the lush, green foliage are borne showy...

From$146.79
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Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$299.92
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Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features...

From$299.92
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Magnolia Amethyst Flame (Amethyst Flame Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Amethyst Flame is a smaller tree that bears masses of large and showy, bright red-purple flowers in late winter and early spring on the...

From$299.92
Melia azedarach tree.

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

From$343.89
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Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus Lobel is a variety of Dutch Elm tree grown for its colourful foliage and narrow form. The leaves emerge a fresh green colour in spring, age to...

From$343.89
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Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)

The Schefflera arboricola plant, commonly known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant. The foliage is mid...

From$26.93
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Magnolia Strawberry Fields (Strawberry Fields Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Strawberry Fields is a stunning deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, semi-double, deep red flowers through late winter and...

From$432.79
Thuja plicata

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Aesculus, Beilschmiedia, Cedrela, Chiranthodendron, Fraxinus, Lagunaria, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Melia, Metasequoia, Metrosideros, Phyllocladus, Robinia, Schefflera, Schinus, Sequoiadendron, Sorbus, Tabebuia Thuja and Ulmus, or related Categories - Tree ties, General Garden Fertiliser, Conifer Trees, Indoor Plants, Deciduous Shrubs, Deciduous Trees, Evergreen Trees Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search thuja tree

Planting and Growing the Thuja Tree

Planting a thuja tree adds both structure and softness to your garden. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, thujas perform best in well-drained soil and respond well to regular mulching and moderate watering. Once established, most varieties are quite drought-tolerant, making them an excellent choice for gardens throughout New Zealand. Prune lightly to maintain your preferred shape, and enjoy their naturally dense growth.

If you're considering compact varieties for smaller spaces or formal borders, Thuja occidentalis Caespitosa is a superb dwarf cultivar with tight growth habits. For classic hedging, explore the tough, upright Thuja occidentalis, which offers beautiful green foliage year-round and responds exceptionally well to trimming.

Popular Thuja Tree Varieties

The thuja tree family offers a range of forms, from gold-tipped to refined, compact cultivars. Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' is cherished for its golden-orange foliage in winter and soft, feathery appearance all year. For larger gardens or feature plantings, Thuja plicata brings impressive stature and reliability—ideal for windbreaks and privacy screens. Those seeking a golden accent will love the striking Thuja plicata Old Gold (Thuja Old Gold), with new growth emerging a vibrant yellow against deeper green.

Each of these varieties adapts readily to New Zealand's conditions, filling roles from structural hedging to standout feature plants in a mixed border.

Uses for Thuja Trees in the New Zealand Garden

The thuja tree is best known for its dense, evergreen foliage, making it an outstanding choice for privacy hedges, windbreaks, and shelterbelts. Plant thujas along boundaries for effective screening, or use compact cultivars to edge pathways and frame driveways. With their manageable growth and adaptability, thujas integrate beautifully into both formal gardens and more relaxed, native designs.

Choosing the right variety—whether it's the classic Thuja occidentalis, ultra-compact Thuja occidentalis Caespitosa, golden-tipped Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold', or architectural Thuja plicata Old Gold (Thuja Old Gold)—ensures a lasting, low-maintenance addition to your landscape.

Shop Thuja Trees for Your Garden

Ready to add a thuja tree to your landscape? Explore our range of thuja varieties including classic Thuja occidentalis, compact Thuja occidentalis Caespitosa, and striking Thuja plicata Old Gold (Thuja Old Gold). With premium plants and expert advice, transforming your garden with the enduring beauty of thuja has never been easier.


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