How To Prune Arborvitaes

You prune arborvitaes by selectively trimming back the green foliage, not by cutting into the brown, dead wood in the center of the branches.
 
Pruning arborvitaes is a straightforward task, but it requires a gentle touch and the right timing to keep your trees looking lush and healthy.
 
Many homeowners get nervous about pruning arborvitaes because they are afraid of ruining the tree’s shape, but with a few simple guidelines, you can prune them with total confidence.
 
In this post, we’re going to answer the question of how to prune arborvitaes step by step, covering the best seasons, the essential tools, and the exact cutting techniques you need.
 
Let’s dig into the details of pruning arborvitaes so you can maintain a beautiful, dense hedge or a striking standalone specimen.
 

When to Prune Arborvitaes for the Best Results

Timing is everything when it comes to pruning arborvitaes, and getting it right can make the difference between robust regrowth and a stressed plant.
 
The ideal time to prune arborvitaes is in late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins to push out.
 
Pruning arborvitaes during this dormant window encourages a burst of healthy new foliage in the spring, filling in any gaps you’ve created.
 
You can also prune arborvitaes lightly in early summer after the first flush of growth has hardened off, which helps maintain a tidy shape without exposing tender new shoots to frost.
 
Avoid pruning arborvitaes in late summer or early fall because new growth stimulated by pruning won’t have time to harden before winter arrives.
 

Why Late Winter Is the Sweet Spot

When you prune arborvitaes in late winter, the plants are still fully dormant, meaning they aren’t actively growing and will experience minimal sap loss.
 
This is the safest time to prune arborvitaes as it reduces stress and allows the tree to heal quickly once warmer weather triggers growth.
 
Pruning arborvitaes at this time also lets you see the tree’s natural structure clearly, which makes it easier to spot any dead, diseased, or damaged branches that need removal.
 

Can You Prune Arborvitaes in Summer?

Yes, you can prune arborvitaes in early summer, but you need to be more cautious.
 
Pruning arborvitaes in June or early July is acceptable as long as you only remove a small amount of the current season’s growth.
 
The key is to avoid heavy pruning arborvitaes during hot, dry spells because the stress of water loss combined with pruning can cause browning at the tips.
 
If you must prune arborvitaes in summer, stick to gentle shaping rather than aggressive cutting.
 

The Right Way to Prune Arborvitaes Step by Step

Now that you know the perfect timing, let’s get into the actual technique of pruning arborvitaes.
 
The golden rule of pruning arborvitaes is to only cut into the green, leafy part of the branches and never into the brown, dead zone in the center.
 
Arborvitaes do not regrow from old wood, so cutting into that bare interior will leave a permanent bald spot that never fills back in.
 
To prune arborvitaes safely, grab a pair of sharp, clean bypass pruners for small branches and a pair of loppers for thicker ones.
 

1. Start With Sanitized Tools

Before you begin pruning arborvitaes, wipe your cutting blades with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution to prevent spreading diseases between plants.
 
Clean tools are essential when you prune arborvitaes because an open wound on the branch is an easy entry point for fungi and bacteria.
 
You’ll thank yourself for this simple step when your arborvitaes stay green and vigorous all season long.
 

2. Remove Dead and Damaged Branches First

The first step in pruning arborvitaes is to identify and remove any branches that are dead, broken, or showing signs of pest damage.
 
Cut these branches back to the nearest healthy fork or all the way down to the trunk if needed.
 
Removing these problematic areas not only improves the tree’s appearance but also improves airflow, which keeps your arborvitaes healthy.
 

3. Shape the Foliage by Trimming the Tips

To shape your arborvitaes, use your pruners to snip off the tips of the branches, just above a green bud or a lateral shoot.
 
When you prune arborvitaes this way, you encourage the plant to grow denser and bushier rather than becoming leggy.
 
Follow the natural cone-like silhouette of the arborvitae, keeping the top slightly narrower than the bottom so that lower branches get sunlight.
 

4. Never Remove More Than One-Third

A common mistake when pruning arborvitaes is cutting back too much at one time, which shocks the plant.
 
As a rule, never remove more than one-third of the total foliage in a single year.
 
If you need to reduce the size of your arborvitaes significantly, spread the effort over two or three seasons.
 
This gradual approach to pruning arborvitaes keeps the tree happy and prevents unsightly gaps that take years to fill.
 

Common Mistakes When Pruning Arborvitaes to Avoid

Even seasoned gardeners can slip up when pruning arborvitaes, but knowing what to avoid will save you a lot of heartache.
 
Let’s look at the most frequent errors so you can prune arborvitaes like a pro from day one.
 

Cutting Into the Brown Center

The single biggest mistake is cutting back into the brown, woody interior that has no green needles.
 
Arborvitaes cannot produce new growth from this old wood, so you’ll be left with a dead, empty hole in your hedge.
 
Always prune arborvitaes just above a healthy green section and never expose the bare trunk.
 

Pruning at the Wrong Time of Year

Another major error is pruning arborvitaes during the hottest part of summer or in the freezing cold of deep winter.
 
Hot weather pruning arborvitaes can cause moisture stress, while freezing temperatures can damage the freshly cut tips.
 
Stick to late winter or early spring for the main pruning arborvitaes session, as we covered earlier.
 

Using Hedge Trimmers on Overgrown Branches

While hedge trimmers are great for shearing a formal hedge, they chew up the leaves and can cause browning at the cut edges.
 
When pruning arborvitaes for general maintenance, use hand pruners to make clean cuts that heal quickly.
 
If you want a formal, flat-sided hedge, it’s fine to use hedge trimmers, but only on the outer green growth.
 

So, How to Prune Arborvitaes Without Ruining Them?

You prune arborvitaes by trimming only the green, leafy growth, never the brown wood, and always in late winter or early spring.
 
You prune arborvitaes safely by using clean, sharp tools and by removing no more than one-third of the foliage in a single season.
 
You prune arborvitaes confidently by shaping the tips to encourage denser growth and by avoiding heavy summer cuts.
 
If you follow these simple steps, you’ll keep your arborvitaes looking full, vibrant, and perfectly shaped for years to come.
 
Now that you know exactly how to prune arborvitaes, grab your pruners, pick the right day, and give your trees the care they deserve.
 
Your arborvitaes will reward your gentle pruning arborvitaes efforts with thick, lush foliage that provides privacy and beauty all year round.
 
Happy pruning arborvitaes, and enjoy your thriving green landscape.