Tuja

Tuja, commonly known as Arborvitae, is a genus of coniferous trees or shrubs in the cypress family Cupressaceae. The name "Arborvitae" literally translates to "tree of life" in Latin, a name bestowed upon it by the French explorer Jacques Cartier in the 16th century for its perceived medicinal properties. Native to North America and East Asia, these plants are characterized by their scale-like leaves arranged in flattened sprays and their small, woody cones.

There are typically five species recognized within the genus Thuja. Thuja occidentalis, the Eastern Arborvitae, is widely cultivated and is native to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Thuja plicata, the Western Redcedar, is found in western North America and is known for its large size and durable wood. Thuja orientalis, also known as Oriental Arborvitae or Chinese Arborvitae, is native to China and Korea and is often used as an ornamental plant. The remaining two species, Thuja standishii (Japanese Arborvitae) and Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae), are found in East Asia.

Thuja species are popular in landscaping due to their dense foliage, tolerance to pruning, and adaptability to various soil conditions. They are frequently used for hedges, screens, and as specimen trees. Their wood is lightweight, aromatic, and resistant to decay, making it useful for construction, furniture, and fencing. Various extracts and compounds from Thuja have been used in traditional medicine, though scientific evidence for many of these uses is limited.