Difference between thuja and cypress.

If we consider different trees from the point of view of decorativeness, then, of course, one cannot ignore the thuja and the cypress. Used as hedges, planted along roads and decorating facades of buildings, these exotic specimens look great. However, some types of such plants are so similar that it is difficult to immediately understand how thuja differs from cypress. Let's consider both instances in more detail.

Definition

Thuja

Thuja - evergreen plant, tree or shrub, cypress family. Thuja is unpretentious. She feels comfortable in almost any soil. It tolerates air pollution well, which is especially important for industrial cities. It is used for decorative purposes and to improve the surrounding microclimate.

Cypress

Cypress is also an evergreen plant of the cypress family. Many of its species can reach a height of several tens of meters (however, this also applies to thuja), but there are also small specimens used as indoor plants.

Comparison

Plants are close relatives, but their climatic preferences are not the same. Thuja feels great in cooler areas, it is ideal for the middle lane. The best conditions for cypress are the subtropics.

To accurately identify the difference between thuja and cypress, it is necessary to compare the biological characteristics of both representatives. This mainly concerns the cones. Here are the thuja cones:

They are oblong, with several pairs of scales arranged crosswise.

And these are spherical cypress cones, similar to mini-copies of soccer balls:

Their surface is formed by multifaceted scaly shields.

Another distinctive feature is the location of the needles on the branches. In thuja, they are in the same plane, in cypress, in different ones. You can also determine which plant is in front of us by smell. In thuja, it is pronounced, ethereal. Cypress is not so bright, its shades are sweetish, smoky.

Speaking about the difference between thuja and cypress, we can touch upon the medicinal properties of plants. Thuja has an antibacterial effect, optimizes blood circulation, relieves spasms and inflammation. Cypress oil fights stress, is used for bleeding gums, and is used to treat bronchitis.

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