Yeah, that's what I figured. Given time, how would one distinguish between Aurea and Gold Cascade? Sound like they are very similar with size being the distinguishing feature which makes planting in the yard difficult. You don't want an eventual 3 foot dwarf where a specimen tree should be...would look pretty funny.

annual growth rate is the key ....

if it were planted in the ground ... within a year or two ... you should start getting toward a normal annual growth rate.. and it would lead toward size ... but shipping and transplanting stresses .. if any. could dwarf that for a few years ... in pots ... a 3 inch a year dwarf.. isnt going to be growing a foot or two per year.. eh??? ... see link below

i would also wonder.. if it isnt a nutrient deficiency .... since the older needles are green ... but these plants dont thrive in MI ... so i just throw it out there .... did you repot???

ken

http://conifersociety.org/conifers/conifer-sizes/

Thanks for the reply Ken. Yes, I immediately repotted into a larger pot after loosening the rootball, removing girdling roots, etc. I'm pretty sure the two varieties I referenced have new yellowish spring growth that matures to a green color and that this isn't a nutrient deficiency but I could certainly be wrong, time will tell. I guess I will just have to eventually find a place in the yard, away from the house that could support a dwarf or tree in a flower bed and not look out of place.

If a tree is developing new growth while it's in a truck and not getting any sunlight the new growth will often times be yellow even if it's not supposed to. I've seen Blue spruces produce yellow new growth even if it's not supposed to. I'm not saying that it's a Karl Fuschs but it could be deceiving.

Interesting, I haven't seen that before but good to know. I'm not in a big hurry to get it in the ground so I'll give it some time to build a bigger root ball in the new pot and then see where it's at. I've got several experiments in the yard in the meantime.

And if you never know what it is but you love it and it is beautiful it doesn't matter...

I just realized I never did update my post but, Stewart, you nailed it. The "yellow" cedar isn't so yellow anymore. :) Thanks to all for the replies and great information.