Create Your Garden

Thuja occidentalis Fire Chief™ (American Arborvitae)

Fire Chief™ Arborvitae, White Cedar Fire Chief™, Northern White Cedar Fire Chief™, Swamp Cedar Fire Chief™, Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe' PP19009

Thuja Occidentalis Fire Chief™, Fire Chief Arborvitae, White Cedar Fire Chief™, Northern White Cedar Fire Chief™, Swamp Cedar Fire Chief™, Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe'

Thuja occidentalis Fire Chief™ is an exceptional choice for adding year-round color and structure to landscapes. Its unique red foliage, combined with a compact growth habit and adaptability, make it a favored choice among gardeners and landscape designers. This sport of highly popular Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’ is regarded by many as a superior cultivar thanks to its better color throughout the season. It is also less prone to splitting under a load of snow or ice in winter.

Thuja occidentalis Fire Chief™: An In-depth Look

Fire Chief™, also known as ‘Congabe’, is a distinctive Arborvitae cultivar noted for its unique, fiery red foliage. It stands out with its vibrant color and globe-like, compact shape.

Native: Thuja occidentalis is native to North America. It is predominantly found in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. This species naturally occurs in wet forests, swamps, and along lake shores, thriving in cool, moist, well-drained environments.

Plant Type and Habit: This is a dwarf, evergreen conifer with a naturally rounded, globe-like habit. It’s known for its slow-growing, uniform shape that rarely requires pruning.

Size: Fire Chief™ grows to a manageable size, typically reaching about 3-4 feet in height and spread (90-120 cm), making it an ideal choice for small gardens or limited spaces.

Foliage: The foliage is the main attraction of this cultivar, displaying dense sprays of feathery, bright gold foliage in spring, turning sage-green and topped with red tips in the fall. The leaves are scale-like and closely arranged.

Bark: The bark is reddish-brown, relatively smooth, and becomes more textured with age.

Uses: Due to its compact size and striking color, it’s perfect for foundation plantings, borders, specimen planting, rock gardens, and containers. It adds a burst of color to any landscape.

Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it can withstand cold winters and a range of environmental conditions.

Wildlife: Provides limited shelter for small wildlife.

Toxicity: Generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals.

Deer and Rabbit: May suffer some damage from deer and rabbits, especially in areas where these animals are prevalent.

Invasiveness: This cultivar is not considered invasive and typically stays within its planted boundaries.

Benefits: The major benefit of Fire Chief™ lies in its vibrant foliage color, which brings year-round visual interest to the garden. It’s also low-maintenance, requiring minimal care and pruning.

American Arborvitae Growing Tips

Light: Thrives in full sun but can also grow well in partial shade. Full sun exposure leads to denser foliage growth. Usually appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Protect from drying winds, especially when young.

Soil: Adaptable to a wide range of soils but prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Tolerates clay soils.

Water: Regular watering is important, especially for young plants and in dry conditions. Avoid extreme dry soil in the fall, which can cause the evergreen foliage to dry out in winter.

Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Over-fertilization can harm the plant, so follow the recommended rates.

Pruning: Little to no pruning is required. Prune for shaping or size control in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Avoid heavy pruning.

Mulch: Provide a generous root zone mulch.

Propagation: Propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.

Pests and Diseases: Watch for bagworms, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Leaf tips may suffer damage from leaf miners. Canker can sometimes pose a problem. Fungal diseases like root rot can occur in poorly drained soils. Good air circulation and proper planting depth help prevent these issues.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Thuja
Common names Northern White Cedar, American Arborvitae, Arborvitae, Eastern White Cedar
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Thuja (Arborvitae)
Guides with
Thuja (Arborvitae)
Not sure which Thuja (Arborvitae) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Thuja plicata ‘Zebrina’ (Western Arborvitae)
Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’ (Western Arborvitae)
Thuja plicata Spring Grove® (Western Arborvitae)
Thuja orientalis (Oriental Arborvitae)
Thuja orientalis ‘Nana Aurea’ (Oriental Arborvitae)
Thuja occidentalis ‘Tiny Tim’ (American Arborvitae)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea)
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Azalea and Rhododendron

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Small Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds
Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
37 Best Evergreen Trees for Privacy and Year-Round Interest
Cypress Tree: Popular Varieties and Growing Guide
Choosing Your Ideal Hedge: A Guide to Top Shrubs for Any Garden
Small Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Appeal
Thuja (Arborvitae)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Thuja
Common names Northern White Cedar, American Arborvitae, Arborvitae, Eastern White Cedar
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Thuja (Arborvitae)
Guides with
Thuja (Arborvitae)
Not sure which Thuja (Arborvitae) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Thuja occidentalis Fire Chief™ (American Arborvitae) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Thuja occidentalis Fire Chief™ (American Arborvitae) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone