Thuja occidentalis ‘Linesville’

                Arborvitae are pretty common in Cedarburg, WI. The limestone soils are conducive to the culture of this native plant. If you vacation in Door County, WI you will see them growing out of the stone cliffs facing Lake Michigan. But the cultivar ‘Linesville,’ also (incorrectly) called ‘Bobozam,’ trademarked Mr. Bowling Ball™ is quite different. Instead of having dark green flattened scale-like foliage, it is gray-green and needle-like, though soft. Instead of being pyramidal in shape, it is round, achieving a size of about 3 feet after 10 years.

                The late Joe Stupka of Pennsylvania found this plant in about 1985 as a witch’s broom in a cemetery near Linesville, PA. He took a few cuttings and propagated it. When he found it to be worthy of marketing, he gave it the cultivar name ‘Linesville.’ Joe always named his plants after the location where he found them.
                Later he sold the rights to the plant to James Zampini of Lake County Nursery, Perry, OH. Zampini asked his young son what he should call it. The son replied “Bowling Ball,” alluding to its compact, round growth habit, and somewhat to Joe’s physical form as well! Mr. Zampini replied that Joe deserved more respect, so he then trademarked it as Mr. Bowling Ball™ in 2003, also giving it the cultivar name ‘Bobozam.’ However, the American Conifer Society recognizes it by the cultivar name ‘Linesville,’ according to Joe’s wishes.

                ‘Linesville’ is now readily available in garden centers. When you plant it, look to the sky and say thanks to Joe, a one-of-a-kind plantsman and friend.