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To prune arborvitae shrubs properly, you need to make careful cuts at the right time and avoid common mistakes that can leave unsightly bare spots.
Pruning arborvitae shrubs isn’t as intimidating as it sounds once you understand how these evergreens grow.
Unlike many other plants, arborvitae don’t produce new growth from old, brown wood, so pruning arborvitae shrubs requires a light touch.
In this post, we’ll walk through why pruning arborvitae shrubs is so important, the best times to prune arborvitae shrubs, step-by-step techniques, and the tools you’ll need.
We’ll also cover how to avoid turning a healthy tree into a bald, sad-looking stick.
Let’s dig in.
Why Pruning Arborvitae Shrubs Matters
Pruning arborvitae shrubs isn’t just about keeping them tidy, it’s about keeping them healthy.
Regularly pruning arborvitae shrubs helps maintain a dense, full shape because it encourages branching near the cut.
When you prune arborvitae shrubs, you’re also removing dead or diseased branches that could invite pests.
Another reason to prune arborvitae shrubs is airflow; opening up the interior reduces humidity that causes fungal issues.
And let’s not forget aesthetics, because pruning arborvitae shrubs keeps them from overpowering your walkway or windows.
1. Promotes Thicker Foliage
When you prune arborvitae shrubs, you remove the tips of new growth.
This signals the plant to push out buds just behind the cut, creating a bushier appearance.
If you don’t prune arborvitae shrubs, they can become leggy with patchy, thin sections.
Light, regular pruning arborvitae shrubs keeps that classic, soft, evergreen look.
2. Prevents Winter Damage
Heavy snow and ice can bend or snap long, unpruned branches.
When you prune arborvitae shrubs in late summer, you reduce the surface area that catches snow.
This proactive approach to pruning arborvitae shrubs means less breakage and fewer split trunks after a storm.
3. Controls Size and Shape
Arborvitae can quickly outgrow a space if left alone.
By pruning arborvitae shrubs annually, you keep them within bounds without having to remove large, woody limbs later.
Remember that pruning arborvitae shrubs is a slow, careful process, not a hard chop.
When to Prune Arborvitae Shrubs
The best time to prune arborvitae shrubs is in late winter to early spring, just before new growth begins.
Pruning arborvitae shrubs at this time allows cuts to heal quickly as the plant wakes up.
You can also lightly prune arborvitae shrubs in mid-summer, but avoid autumn pruning arborvitae shrubs.
Why avoid fall? Pruning arborvitae shrubs in fall stimulates tender new growth that frost will kill.
1. Late Winter Pruning
Late winter is ideal for pruning arborvitae shrubs because the plant is still dormant.
This means less sap loss and less stress on the evergreen.
When you prune arborvitae shrubs in late winter, you can see the structure clearly without leaves blocking your view.
2. Light Summer Touch-Ups
If you just need to trim a few stray shoots, you can prune arborvitae shrubs in early summer.
Never remove more than one-third of the green growth when pruning arborvitae shrubs in summer.
Summer pruning arborvitae shrubs is great for shaping but should be gentle.
How to Prune Arborvitae Shrubs Step by Step
Now, let’s get into the actual technique of pruning arborvitae shrubs.
The golden rule is to always leave some green foliage on every branch.
Because arborvitae cannot resprout from bare wood, pruning arborvitae shrubs into the brown zone means permanent bald spots.
1. Gather Sharp Tools
For pruning arborvitae shrubs, you’ll need clean, sharp bypass pruners for small stems.
Use loppers for branches thicker than a pencil during pruning arborvitae shrubs.
For large specimens, hedge shears work for pruning arborvitae shrubs but you must be careful not to cut too deep.
Sterilize your blades with rubbing alcohol before pruning arborvitae shrubs to prevent spreading disease.
2. Identify Dead, Diseased, or Crossing Branches
Start your pruning arborvitae shrubs session by removing anything that’s brown, brittle, or obviously dead.
Cut these back to the main trunk or to a healthy lateral branch.
When pruning arborvitae shrubs, also look for branches rubbing against each other, as these wounds invite pests.
3. Make Cuts Just Above a Leaf Node
For directional pruning arborvitae shrubs, find a green shoot that faces outward.
Snip about a quarter-inch above that bud at a slight angle.
This method of pruning arborvitae shrubs encourages the new growth to head outward, not inward.
4. Taper the Top
Arborvitae naturally grow in a pyramidal shape.
When pruning arborvitae shrubs, keep the base wider than the top so sunlight reaches lower branches.
If you prune arborvitae shrubs wider at the top, you shade the lower foliage, and it will die off.
5. Step Back Often
Pruning arborvitae shrubs is a gradual process, so don’t rush.
After every few cuts, step back and check your work while pruning arborvitae shrubs.
It’s far easier to make another small cut than to fix an over-pruned arborvitae.
Mistakes to Avoid When Pruning Arborvitae Shrubs
Even seasoned gardeners mess up when pruning arborvitae shrubs.
Here’s what not to do.
1. Cutting Into Bare Wood
The biggest error in pruning arborvitae shrubs is cutting back to brown, leafless branches.
Once you prune arborvitae shrubs past the green, there’s no coming back.
That cut area will remain a permanent dead stump.
2. Topping the Tree
Never chop the top off an arborvitae just to reduce height.
When you prune arborvitae shrubs this way, the top becomes flat and ugly.
It also exposes the upper branches to sunscald.
If you must limit height, prune arborvitae shrubs gradually by shortening the leader over several years.
3. Pruning in Late Autumn
As mentioned, pruning arborvitae shrubs late in the season pushes vulnerable new growth.
The tender shoots won’t harden off before freeze, leading to dieback.
Stick to late winter or early summer when pruning arborvitae shrubs.
So, How to Prune Arborvitae Shrubs the Right Way?
You can prune arborvitae shrubs successfully if you follow a few simple rules.
Pruning arborvitae shrubs starts with the right timing, typically late winter.
You prune arborvitae shrubs by removing dead wood and trimming new growth just above a green bud.
Never prune arborvitae shrubs into brown wood, and always keep the base wider than the top.
With gentle, yearly attention, pruning arborvitae shrubs will keep your evergreens lush and healthy for decades.
So grab your pruners and give your arborvitae the care they deserve.