The giant arborvitae, or Western red cedar, native to the Pacific Northwest, is named appropriately--it can grow to be 150 feet in its native habitat. Cultivated varieties will usually reach about 20-30 feet tall. Long, sweeping branches of this evergreen are covered with dark green scaly foliage on stiffly upright trees. With age, the reddish-brown bark becomes fibrous and shredded. It can be difficult to distinguish this species from our native Eastern arborvitae, but the scales are more narrow and less over-lapping. The little cones have sharp spines at the base. Choose plants with strong central leaders to prevent damage from snow and ice.