Ember Waves® Western Arborvitae Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on January 10, 2023

Planting instructions

Site your Ember Waves® Western Arborvitae Tree in soil that drains well and receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. If possible, plant your tree in an area that is blocked from harsh prevailing winds. Unpot your tree and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in the hole, spreading out the roots. Holding it upright and steady, fill in around the roots with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a two to three-inch layer of organic mulch such as bark chips around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth but keep it from touching the trunk to avoid problems with rot.

Watering and nutrients

During its first year, water your arborvitae several times a week to help it establish a strong and extensive root system. After the first year, you will only need to water your tree when you are experiencing very dry or hot conditions. Fertilize your Ember Waves® Western Arborvitae Tree with a slow-release fertilizer designed for evergreen trees and shrubs. A 16-4-8 formula will work well.

Pollination

Arborvitae trees are monoecious, meaning that they have both male and female reproductive organs on the same tree. Instead of flowers, pollen is produced by male cones and transferred to female cones through the action of the wind.

Pruning

Monitor your tree for dead, damaged or diseased branches, which should be trimmed out whenever you see them. There is no need to do any further pruning unless you wish your Ember Waves® Western Arborvitae Tree to take on a formal shape or hedge. Left unpruned, it will mature to a loose pyramidal shape that is more vertical than horizontal.

Pests and diseases

Although the Ember Waves® Western Arborvitae Tree is resistant to disease and has few insect pests, keep your eye out for aphids, scale insects and pine weevils. A healthy tree can usually manage infestations with little problems, but if pest pressure is severe, consider releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which will attack the pests. Horticultural oil can also be used as a deterrent. The most common disease seen on arborvitaes is tip and twig blight, which turns the ends of branches brown. Prune out and discard any foliage that is impacted. A fungicide can also be used to prevent disease.

Achieving maximum results

One way to effectively use this cultivar in the garden is by planting it in a large container. Two pruned Ember Waves® Western Arborvitae Trees flanking a front doorway, for example, would be spectacular or imagine placing several on a desk or around a pool. Choose a container with large drainage holes that is about twice the size of the root ball. Plant as per our directions above using a good-quality potting mix. Keep in mind that potted plants tend to need more frequent watering and feeding than those planted in the ground. Container growing is also a good way for those living in northern climates below USDA hardiness zone five to grow this cultivar. In the winter, just bring the planter inside and leave it in a cool basement or garage, watering infrequently.

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