Caring for Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold" properly

A shrub called Rheingold

Frost-resistant, cut-resistant, evergreen, dense, weatherproof, robust - that's it Thuja occidentalis. The plant, also known as the "Occidental Tree of Life", produces numerous different varieties. They grow slim and upright, tall or low.

The Rheingold variety grows spherically and reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. You can recognize them primarily by the golden yellow foliage, which takes on a bronze-like tone during the cold season. Because of its color, the plant was given the name Gold Tree of Life.

All trees of life look just as beautiful as a single plant as in an ensemble in the heather or Rock garden. Due to the dense growth and the pronounced cut resistance, these make an excellent hedge. Take a closer look at the plant and you will see the delicate, soft needle leaves. If you breathe in the scent, the typical smell of the cypress family rises in your nostrils.

An overview of three types of thuja

Plant name	Plant notes
Thuja emerald	conical, dense and compact growth, thrives up to 6 m high and 2 m wide, up to 20 cm in height annually
Thuja Columna	narrow growing columnar shape, thrives up to 8 m high and 1.5 m wide, up to 25 cm in height annually
Thuja Brabant	fast, upright and medium-high growth, up to 30 cm in height annually

Maintain the hedge

The thuja is very robust and can even handle industrial emissions in the city. If you have enough space and it is allowed to grow without pruning, it is even easier to care for. The wild form can reach a height of up to 20 meters.

Precisely because the perennial grows well despite regular pruning and also in winter Privacy screen it is the most commonly planted plant for a hedge. In addition, the evergreen natural hedges form for many birds and insects an important living space.

A bright and, if possible, sunny location, a moist and calcareous soil, and occasionally adding compost, promote healthy growth. A newly planted hedge should be watered regularly, especially if you planted the thuja in spring. A layer of mulch made of bark material keeps the moisture in the soil and prevents it from sprouting weed and offers useful microorganisms a home.

Thuja occidentalis - care tips for the tree of life

This thuja copes better with waterlogging than with a lack of water. So that the roots do not dry out in winter, water the plant before the cold snap. Again, a water-retaining layer of mulch is advisable.

The right location is sunny to maximally partially shaded on a water-permeable soil. The ideal pH is between 5 and 7. In regions with extreme cold, the young plants can tolerate winter protection. Since it is a shallow root, you can only cultivate the soil shallowly. Otherwise, you will damage the vital shoots.

If you prefer a shape cut of the Rheingold, you should plan this three times a year. If done regularly, they encourage dense branching. The first cut takes place in the spring after the new shoots, the next in early summer and in late summer / early autumn. It is important that the shoots have enough time to develop. It is best to cut after the new shoot or when the shoots still have time to develop. To protect yourself, leave lignified areas.

The care of the thuja at a glance

Maintenance method	Care instructions
Location	sunny to partially shaded
floor	moist and enriched with lime
fertilization	now and then some compost
cut	after new growth

Like all plants, the Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold" tree of life has advantages and disadvantages. The ease of care, expressiveness and nature friendliness undoubtedly speak in favor of cultivation. Especially in the form of dense hedges, they are a welcome screen and noise protection and a home for birds and other microorganisms.

The toxicity of the plant should be mentioned as a disadvantage. When editing, you should be careful not to let the juice get into your body. If the thuja gets brown foliage in winter, it is a protection against the cold. This beauty kink usually disappears again in spring with good care.