Identification: Hello could you all help me identify this shrub?

Discussion in 'Gymnosperms (incl. Conifers)' started by gardengeek, May 8, 2012.

  1. gardengeek

    gardengeek Member

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    Hi everyone I am in the USA. I am trying to identify this shrub in my yard so I can plant more as a privacy wall. All I can tell you is it's fast growing and got this tall in 7 years from a 2 foot shrub. Currently standing at approx. 18 feet tall. It's some sort of evergreen. Thank you so much.

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  2. Barbara Lloyd

    Barbara Lloyd Well-Known Member

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    Look up Arborvitae. A type of cypress.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2012
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Cypress (note spelling) and arborvitae are two different kinds. The common one generally like yours is Italian cypress, otherwise perhaps it is a juniper.
     
  4. Barbara Lloyd

    Barbara Lloyd Well-Known Member

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  5. gardengeek

    gardengeek Member

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    Thank you kindly for your help. I did look up arborvitae's and it does not fit the profile for any that I can tell. This particular shrub (or should I call it a tree)? Is quite slim without much width at all. I will look up the Italian Cypress as mentioned. What are your thoughts about an Eastern red Cedar?
     
  6. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    A juniper, probably a cultivar of Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis. A close-up of the foliage (and any of the berry-like cones, if present) would help.

    Definitely not a cedar, they're very different.

    What Barbara is referring to is that arborvitae is in the cypress family (Cupressaceae; correct); while Ron is saying they are not the same genus (also correct; Thuja vs. Cupressus).
     
  7. Barbara Lloyd

    Barbara Lloyd Well-Known Member

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    Thank you Michael, for explaining . Guess I just didn't read far enough Trees are certainly not my strong point. What do you expect from an area that calls T. plicata, Western Red Cedar or P. menziesii, Douglas Fir. Grinn
     
  8. gardengeek

    gardengeek Member

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    Michael,

    It has no cones but upon close inspection there are some small blue berries on the shrub. The leaves are fine. It's very slender and tall, not a wide shrub by any means.
     
  9. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Yep, juniper cones look just like small blue berries.
     

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