Practical
Plants

Thuja orientalis

Biota

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Thuja genus in the family Cupressaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Thuja
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
15 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are toxic if eaten[12]. The plant can also cause skin allergies in sensitive people[12].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - after removing the bitterness[1][7]. No more details are given, but the bitterness in seeds is usually removed either by leaching them in water or by thoroughly cooking them[K].

Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[10]. The leaves are antibacterial, antipyretic, antitussive, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, refrigerant and stomachic[4][6][10][12]. Their use is said to improve the growth of hair[4][6][12]. They are used internally in the treatment of coughs, haemorrhages, excessive menstruation, bronchitis, asthma, skin infections, mumps, bacterial dysentery, arthritic pain and premature baldness[12]. The leaves are harvested for use as required and can be used fresh or dried[12]. This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women[12]. The seed is aperient, lenitive and sedative[4][6][10]. It is used internally in the treatment of palpitations, insomnia, nervous disorders and constipation in the elderly[12]. The root bark is used in the treatment of burns and scalds[10]. The stems are used in the treatment of coughs, colds, dysentery, rheumatism and parasitic skin diseases[10].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Lenitive
Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tolerant of regular trimming, though not into old wood, it can be grown as a dense hedge[5]. A yellow dye is obtained from the young branches[13]. Wood - durable in the soil, moderately hard, close grained, rather coarse grained, light, soft, brittle. Used for construction, cabinet making, cooperage[13][3][5][11].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. China, N. Korea. A small wild population is also found in N.E. Iran.
Habitat
Steep dry rocky valley slopes[2][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown when ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed germinates best if given a short cold stratification. It can then be sown in a cold frame in late winter. Plants make very little growth in their first year[14]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If there is sufficient seed it is worthwhile trying a sowing in an outdoor seed bed in April[14]. Grow the plants on for at least two years before planting them out in the winter. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a shaded frame. Forms roots by the end of September but should be overwintered in a frame[14]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September in a cold frame. Forms roots in the following summer. Plant out in autumn or spring[14].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist loamy soil[5]. Grows best on dry freely draining sites, often alkaline in reaction[9]. Does well over old building rubble[9]. Tolerant of dry dusty sites and of atmospheric pollution in towns[15]. Prefers a sunny sheltered position[12]. Easily transplanted[5]. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Produces seed freely in cultivation[9]. A slow growing tree, it does not really thrive in Britain[2], especially in the western part of the country[9]. The best specimens are to be found in towns or cities such as Oxford and very sharply drained soils in gardens[8]. Plants cannot regenerate from old wood. Pruning is not normally necessary for this species, any pruning that is carried out should be done with care[12]. Plants are susceptible to attacks by honey fungus[12].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩

  4. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  8. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  14. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  15. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩

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