How To Prune Arborvitae Hedge

You can prune an arborvitae hedge by cutting back the green growth in late spring or early summer, but you must never cut into the bare, brown wood inside the branches.

Pruning an arborvitae hedge is a straightforward job, but it requires a light touch and the right timing to keep your hedge looking full and healthy.

If you prune too aggressively or at the wrong time of year, you can end up with unsightly bare patches that never grow back.

In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to prune arborvitae hedge plants, when to make your cuts, and the best tools to use for a clean, professional finish.

Let’s dig into the details so you can keep your arborvitae hedge thriving season after season.
 

When to Prune Arborvitae Hedge Plants

Timing is everything when you want to prune arborvitae hedge growth, and getting it right keeps your plants stress-free.

The best window to prune arborvitae hedge specimens is in late spring, right after the first flush of new growth has emerged.

You can also do a lighter trim in early to midsummer if you want to tidy up any straggly branches.
 

1. Late Spring Is the Prime Time

Late spring is when your arborvitae hedge is actively pushing out fresh, soft green shoots.

Pruning during this active growth phase encourages the plant to branch out and fill in densely.

Make your cuts while the new growth is still tender, and you’ll get a bushier hedge in just a few weeks.

Avoid pruning in late summer or fall because the new cuts won’t have time to harden off before winter.
 

2. A Light Summer Trim Is Safe

If your arborvitae hedge is getting a bit wild, a light trim in early summer is perfectly fine.

This second trim helps maintain the shape you created in spring without stressing the plant.

Keep it minimal, just snipping off the tips of the branches to keep things neat.

This is a great way to prune arborvitae hedge plants that are growing unevenly or too fast.
 

3. Avoid Pruning in Dormant Winter Months

Pruning an arborvitae hedge in winter is generally a bad idea.

The cuts won’t heal well in cold weather, and you risk exposing the inner wood to frost damage.

Plus, winter pruning can stimulate new growth that will just get killed by a late freeze.

So, stick to the warmer months when you prune arborvitae hedge plants for the best results.
 

How to Prune Arborvitae Hedge Branches Correctly

Knowing how to prune arborvitae hedge plants correctly is all about working with the plant’s natural growth habit.

Arborvitae only produce new growth from the tips of their green branches, not from old wood.

This means you must always leave some green foliage on each branch you cut.
 

1. Never Cut Into the Brown Wood

The most important rule is to never cut back beyond the green foliage into the brown, woody interior.

If you do cut into the bare wood, those branches will stay bare forever, creating permanent holes in your hedge.

So, when you prune arborvitae hedge branches, always look for the green zone and cut just above it.

This encourages new buds to form right below your cut, keeping your hedge lush.
 

2. Prune Wider at the Bottom Than the Top

A classic mistake is to prune your arborvitae hedge into a rectangle with perfectly straight sides.

Instead, you should aim for a slightly tapered shape, meaning the base is a bit wider than the top.

This allows sunlight to reach the lower branches, which is vital for keeping the bottom full and green.

An arborvitae hedge that is wider at the bottom will stay healthy all the way down to the soil line.
 

3. Use Sharp, Clean Tools for Clean Cuts

The tools you use matter a lot when you are ready to prune arborvitae hedge plants.

For small branches, a pair of sharp hand pruners is perfect for precise cuts.

For larger hedges, you can use electric hedge trimmers to speed up the process.

Make sure your blades are sharp and clean because dull tools can crush the stems and invite disease.
 

Best Pruning Technique for an Arborvitae Hedge

When you’re ready to prune arborvitae hedge lines, having a clear technique will prevent costly mistakes.

The goal is to create a shape that looks natural while also being structurally sound for years to come.

Here’s the best way to approach your cuts for a beautiful result.
 

1. Start at the Top and Work Your Way Down

Begin by trimming the top of your arborvitae hedge to the desired height.

Then, work your way down the sides, moving from top to bottom in smooth, sweeping strokes.

This keeps you from accidentally cutting below your intended line as you move along.

It also allows you to see the overall shape as you progress with your pruning.
 

2. Trim New Growth by One-Third

A good rule of thumb is to remove no more than one-third of the new green growth each time you prune.

Removing just the outer layer of new growth is usually enough to keep the shape tidy.

This light touch encourages the hedge to fill out nicely without stressing the plant.

Remember, you are pruning arborvitae hedge tips to promote branching, not to drastically reduce the plant’s size.
 

3. Step Back and Check Your Work Frequently

It’s easy to get lost in the process of cutting one branch at a time.

So, make sure you step back every few minutes to check the overall shape of your arborvitae hedge.

Look for any areas that look uneven or have longer branches sticking out.

Fixing small issues as you go is much easier than trying to correct a major mistake at the end.
 

Why Pruning an Arborvitae Hedge Keeps It Healthy

Pruning your arborvitae hedge is not just about making it look neat, it’s about boosting its overall health.

Regular pruning promotes better airflow through the center of the plant.

And good airflow reduces the risk of fungal diseases that thrive in damp, crowded conditions.
 

1. It Encourages Dense, New Growth

When you prune arborvitae hedge tips, you are signaling the plant to produce new lateral buds.

This creates a denser, fuller hedge that provides better privacy and wind protection.

A regularly pruned hedge will be much thicker than one that is left to grow wild.

This is why it is so important to prune arborvitae hedge plants every year.
 

2. It Prevents the Hedge from Getting Leggy

Without regular pruning, an arborvitae hedge can become top-heavy and leggy.

The lower branches will start to thin out because they aren’t getting enough sunlight.

Pruning keeps the top from growing too large, ensuring the whole hedge gets the light it needs.

This keeps your hedge beautiful and green from the bottom all the way to the top.
 

So, How Do You Prune Arborvitae Hedge Plants Without Mistakes?

You can prune arborvitae hedge plants successfully by cutting only the green growth, doing it in late spring, and using sharp tools.

The key is to never cut into the brown wood and to keep the base of your hedge wider than the top.

By following the simple steps we’ve outlined, your arborvitae hedge will stay vibrant and full for years.

We hope this guide has shown you exactly how to prune arborvitae hedge plants with confidence and ease.