The American Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, is a conifer evergreen tree that is widely used as an accent tree or as a privacy hedge tree. American Arborvitae trees have a broad pyramidal shape with erect branches that are dense and crowded together. The scale-like leaves are abruply pointed. The leaf color is bright green above and pale green below and they may turn a yellow brown is some winters. This evergreen tree prefers a deep well drained site. When established it can stand considerable heat and drought. It is one of the most popular of all trees for windbreaks and year around privacy screening. It may be sheared and shaped to fit into most every landscaping need.