American Arbor-Vitae (Thuja occidentalis)

Family: Cupressaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Pyramidal.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Pleasantly sweet, the pith was used as the basis of the soup according to one report. — Pith of young shoots - cooked.; It can be added to soups.; Pleasantly sweet, the pith was used as the basis of the soup according to one report.; Inner bark - cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Swamps and cool rocky banks of streams, forming dense almost impenetrable forests. Also found on rocky soils. Plants are usually found on neutral to alkaline limestone soils. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7)