Thuja occidentalis 'Private Jet' – Eastern White Cedar 'Private Jet'

Meet 'Private Jet', an Eastern White Cedar that redefines elegance and efficiency in the garden. This exceptional selection stands out with its naturally precise geometric silhouette, boasting a rich, deep green that maintains its brilliance year-round. Its narrow pyramidal shape and lightning-fast growth make it the ideal ally for creating flawless privacy screens or sophisticated structural accents, even in the most restricted spaces.

Characteristics

• Foliage : Dense, lush forest green scales that maintain excellent winter coloration without significant bronzing. The foliage is evergreen.
• Flowering / Fruiting / Stems : Produces very small, inconspicuous cones late in the season. Flattened branchlets are arranged regularly, creating a fine, orderly texture.
• Light : Performs optimally in full sun but tolerates part-shade very well.
• Habit : Naturally pyramidal, very narrow, upright, and compact.
• Growth : Exceptionally fast growth for a columnar cedar, gaining up to 60 cm (24 inches) per year once established. It reaches approximately 4 to 6 meters in height and only 1 to 1.5 meters in width at maturity.
• Soil : Prefers rich, cool, and well-drained soil. Avoid excessively dry soils or areas where water remains stagnant for long periods.
• Temperature : Excellent Canadian hardiness (Zone 3).
• Resistances : Good resistance to fungal diseases and tolerates urban pollution better than the average arborvitae.

Use

• Types of Use : Ideal for a tall hedge requiring little width, as a privacy screen, in specimen planting to mark an entrance, or even in large containers to structure a terrace.
• Decorative Advantages : Provides immediate architectural verticality and permanent structure to the landscape, even under snow.

Maintenance

• Watering: Water regularly during the first two years after planting. Keep the soil cool, especially in hot weather, avoiding wetting the foliage late in the day.
• Fertilization : Apply a fertilizer for small trees or evergreens in early spring to support its vigorous growth.
• Pruning : Lightly prune the sides in mid-June to densify the foliage if desired, though its natural habit is already very regular. Avoid pruning the terminal leader until it has reached the desired height.
• Planting : Space 60 to 90 cm apart for a dense hedge. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and ensure the collar is flush with the ground.
• Winter Protection: Although hardy, install protection against desiccant winds or a snow fence if located near a road (de-icing salts) or in an intense wind corridor during the first few winters.