Eastern arborvitae propagates readily from cuttings and is easily transplanted from containers or balled and burlapped. It needs little pruning to develop good structure. Although the species is rated as shade tolerant, it will become thin and open with poor vigor unless exposed to considerable sunlight, but at the same time in areas sheltered from wind and where humidity is high. The thin bark has a high oil content, accounting for its high susceptibility to fire damage. Snow and ice often damage arborvitae by accumulating on the dense foliage and breaking limbs.
Trees are often bent into a permanent leaning position by the weight of ice and snow.
Desiccating winter winds and low temperature, deicing salts, and drought can turn arborvitae foliage yellow or brown and sometimes cause severe damage or death. The high salt content of dog urine too can cause unsightly browning of the foliage. Eastern arborvitae is tolerant of moderate ozone levels in urban areas and of phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D used to control weeds in lawns. The worst defect of eastern arborvitae is that in winter its color turns yellow or even brownish. As a consequence, there has been a lot of research to develop varieties that will remain vigorously green through the winter.