Description

Evergreen: Thuja trees retain their foliage year-round, providing year-round visual interest. 
Coniferous: They are part of the conifer family, producing cones rather than flowers. 
Scale-like Leaves: The leaves are small, overlapping, and scale-like, giving the branches a flattened appearance. 
Resin Glands: Thuja leaves often have resin glands that release a characteristic aroma. 
Distinctive Cones: The female cones are small and woody, containing seeds with narrow lateral wings. 
Size and Shape: Thuja can vary in size, from small shrubs to large trees, with many species cultivated for their specific shapes and growth habits. 
Bark: The bark is reddish-brown and fibrous or stringy. 
Common Species:
Thuja occidentalis (Northern White-Cedar): Native to eastern North America, often used in landscaping. 
Thuja plicata (Western Redcedar): Native to western North America, known for its durable wood. 
Thuja orientalis (Oriental Arborvitae): Native to central Asia, commonly cultivated as an ornamental. 
Common Uses:
Ornamental:
Thuja species are popular for hedges, screens, and specimen plantings in gardens and parks. 
Landscaping:
Their evergreen nature and varied forms make them suitable for a range of landscaping designs. 
Traditional Medicine:
Various parts of Thuja have been used traditionally for medicinal purposes, including for coughs, skin conditions, and other ailments. 
Timber:
Thuja occidentalis and Thuja plicata have been used for timber production.