I planted thirty shrubs at the same time, they did not all grow at the same pace. trying to make a nice hedge row i cut back the taller ones to match the smaller ones. does this mean that i will not get the height that i wanted
From what I have read, once the upward growing branch has been topped there will be no further growth. They grow from the tip so the un-topped ones will eventually out grow the topped ones. Basically the only reason to top an Arborvitae is if the top has been damaged in some way.
I don't know...we trimmed the heck out of ours last summer and they continue to grow. I think they are way too tall right now but hubby likes the privacy they provide. If we get any winter at all the snow lays them over and they stay that way.
I have trouble when we get that heavy wet snow, we have to try and clean them off the best we can with a broom. On our way into town I noticed someone had cut the tops off of all of their arborvitaes and they are flat on top. They are quite thick and large ...I was tempted to cut ours flat but the books say not to do it. Ours are all different heights even though they were planted at the same time. I still might top ours off because it is getting harder and harder to knock the wet snow off and I don't want dead sections if it gets too heavy. I have never noticed any problems with the ones that are flat on top.
Hi Mr Mike, I went to the Univ of NH extenion service website about pruning evergreens. Here is what it said about pruning arborvitae: Arborvitae(Thuja species) Arborvitae shrubs are described as having a columnar, pyramidal or globose shape. They can be pruned as severely as Taxus if not located in the shade. New growth can be encouraged to start farther back on older wood. Arborvitae continually produce vertical shoots that are inclined to bend over under the weight of snow and ice. The columnar or pyramidal arborvitae should have no more than three leaders. It may be necessary to gradually reduce their size before final elimination. Leaders may be tied together to provide added strength. When pruning arborvitae remove only vertical growth inside the perimeter line. No horizontal growth is removed. This method prevents die-back of surface needles and allows sunlight to penetrate the interior of the shrub preventing a “dead zone” and environment that encourages spider mite. (See Figure 5.) https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000594_Rep616.pdf So it sounds as though you can safely prune the tall leaders (vertical growth) until the other arborvitae catch up. Hope this helps.
