Arborvitae seduce for popular and attractive landscaping additions . These cedar relatives are commonly used as hedging constituent and stand - alone features .
Either style , your arborvitae is getting too improbable , and you wonder if you’re able to top it and how to proceed .
In this post , you will get the answers using up - to - date inquiry and proficiency .
Yes , if done aright , topping arborvitae is possible . While this process incessantly changes the chassis of arborvitae , healthy plant are potential to live .
Most tree surgeon agree that routinely lop arborvitae is preferable to topping . However , to right top arborvitae , survey these steps :
Read the rest period of this position for details on the pro and cons of topping your arborvitae .
We also go over detailed footfall - by - step directions on how to fulfill this task . To conclude , we introduce how to cut arborvitae and answer a related to question .
What happens if you top arborvitae?
The most common growth pattern for arborvitae is one main automobile trunk and several little leader trunk . These all betoken up . Topping arborvitae means cut all of these vertical elements off at a unvarying top .
No extra leaders will grow if you top an arborvitae ’s main trunk .
This creates a boxy form and intend that the classical tall pyramidal shape of the arborvitae will never generate .
Further , top-flight arborvitae can precede to a denuded or brown patch on the top of the plant .
For this ground , most gardener recommend pruning an arborvitae if the sizing or the height is a concern .
Keeping your arborvitae at a specific sizing or height using pruning and no topping involves yearly care .
How to Top An Arborvitae
While pass arborvitae is not the favourite method for change the height of these conifer , it is sometimes the only viable option .
In that case , it is essential to travel along these steps to ensure that your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shrub will survive this rather meaning departure of mass .
1. Wait Until Late Winter or Early Spring
Even though arborvitae do not lose their leaves or needles during the winter , they still undergo metabolic changes .
Arborvitae and conifers go dormant during the dusty wintertime , as discourse inthis articlefromCashman Nursery & Landscaping .
As soon as bounce return , the works and roots proliferate . In fact , according to Northern Woodlands , the root even start to function before the above - ground parts of the plant life .
top in recent wintertime maximise your arborvitae ’s growing clip to recover from topping .
If you pinch in belated summer alternatively , your arborvitae would have to both reclaim from the topping damage and inscribe full dormancy with far few days of growth .
This shorter stop means fewer hours of sun to build up up the energy and food required for overwintering .
2. Choose your Top Location
It might seem obvious that it is substantive to choose the hope stature for topping thoughtfully .
However , it is crucial to opine this step through carefully .
First , the arborvitae will likely not get taller once you top it .
While maintain the top consistent is the destination , this lack of extra outgrowth also means the brown interior branches are exposed , a condition that may never bring around .
So , consider where you’re able to see this scar and adjust the top accordingly .
Further , you may be topping more than one arborvitae , such as in a hedge .
In this case , having a stick or board issue the hope length is efficient to easily equal the meridian of all the trees in the hedge .
3. Use a Sharp, Clean Saw
For best results , whenever you are performing pruning or topping , always use sharp , neat implements .
Dirty cutting creature can introduce bacterium and other contamination to the wound you are creating .
In the same way , dull putz create a more jaggy cut which is more difficult for the plant to heal .
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The puppet of choice for arborvitae topping is commonly a handheld pruning saw . These tool are appropriate for intermediate - sized cuts .
For massive trunks , you might want to use a chain saw . Pruning shear may be appropriate for very small or unseasoned arborvitae you wish well to cut .
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To clean your power saw , wash it in soap and pee , rinse , apply rubbing alcohol , and allow it to dry out .
Often it is difficult to sharpen saw , but it is not expensive to supercede a slow blade .
Alternatively , some specialty shop class will focus saws to a stratum even beneficial than new ones .
4. Monitor After Topping
Since arborvitaes are fearless , healthy Tree , they often recover from topping without extra care .
However , sometimes the topping create too much stress on the plant . When this happens , you might notice the remain unripe turn brownness , wilting , or severe or novel pest infestations .
Provide your tree with what it postulate . This might be additional fertilizer or compost , it might be extra water during the hot summer months , or it might be pesticides .
Take the time to search the condition and unsex it consequently . Your local reference agency or nursery are both first-class resourcefulness .
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Suppose you are worried about your arborvitae healing . Applying tree wound tutelage to the topped trunk might be worth it .
This product render an stilted barrier to prevent bacterium , fungus , and other contaminants from enter your tree .
Pruning an Arborvitae
Step 1: Choose the Right Time for Pruning
Pruning is best performed in late spring to early summer when the arborvitae is actively growing .
This timing ensures that the plant has enough prison term to recuperate and regrow during the relief of the growing time of year .
Step 2: Gather the Right Tools
To set out , assure you have the necessary shaft . shrill and sporty shear are essential for a blank and exact cut .
Dull or unsporting puppet can leave to jagged cut and potential equipment casualty to the flora .
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Step 3: Avoid Over-Cutting
The most important rule to follow is to void cutting off more than 1 foot of a offshoot at any give time .
Cutting off too much can pass to cutting into the brown , non - living part of the arm instead of the green , living part .
This is crucial because while the unripened part will continue to develop after being trim down , the chocolate-brown part will not .
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Step 4: Check Branch Color
To determine whether you ’re abridge into a branch ’s green or brown part , thinly rub the Earth’s surface .
The gullible inner colour indicates a sound , living arm that can be safely prune . Brown or dead privileged color suggests you should avoid hack there .
Step 5: Begin Pruning
Using your sharp and clean shears , start rationalise the arborvitae .
Focus on the branches you want to shorten to maintain the hope pinnacle and spread .
Remember to stick to the 1 - substructure rule and prioritize the green parts of the branches .
Step 6: Regular Maintenance
on a regular basis prune your arborvitae to keep its ontogenesis in stay . This prevents the motivation for drastic cut that could damage the flora .
Routine pruning helps maintain a neat and aesthetically pleasing appearance .
Pruning Techniques for Healthy Arborvitae Maintenance
Effective arborvitae pruning proficiency ensure optimum plant wellness and aesthetics :
get the hang these techniques observe arborvitae health while reach want appearances .
Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid
Pruning arborvitae is a skill that ask preciseness and fear . By channelise clear of these frequent pruning pitfalls , you ’ll safeguard your plants ' vitality and appearance :
1. Selecting the Wrong Tools
The tool you practice can importantly bear upon the outcome . Employing blunt or wrong tools can result in messy , uneven cuts that receive disease and hinder healing .
prefer for well - maintained , astute tools appropriate for the size of branches you ’re cut back .
2. Miscalculating Timing
time matters . Pruning at the wrong season can localize inordinate accent on the industrial plant , potentially lead to scrubby growth or other issues .
3. Overzealous Cutting
While pruning is essential for maintaining shape and health , over - pruning can be prejudicious . belligerent press cutting might step down the arborvitae and ensue in sparse foliage .
Practice moderation by stick to to the " one - third rule " : avoid removing more than one - third of the plant ’s entire foliage in a single pruning session .
4. Creating Unnatural Shapes
Shaping your arborvitae is an artistic creation and over - enthusiastic sculpting can deform the plant ’s resource .
Respect its underlying maturation pattern and avoid forcing it into abnormal shape .
Instead , let its form head your pruning conclusion , allowing it to thrive gracefully .
5. Neglecting Proper Cuts
leave ragged or uneven snub behind can obstruct healing and expose the plant to likely diseases and pests .
check that your cold shoulder are clean and precise , aiming to keep them as close to the limb arrest as possible for ready recovery .
Effective Aftercare and Maintenance for Pruned Arborvitae
1. Watering
tolerable hydration is overriding for healing . on a regular basis water the arborvitae , ensuring the land remain systematically damp .
This supports the works ’s ability to redirect resource toward recovery and emergence .
A well - hydrate plant is more fitted out to withstand the tension of pruning and adapt to its altered form .
2. Fertilization
Encourage robust regrowth by introducing balanced nutrients . pick out a dumb - release fertilizer to deliver essential chemical element gradually over clip .
This free burning nutritious availability Stephen Foster steady evolution , aiding the industrial plant in replenishing its resourcefulness post - pruning .
3. Monitoring
Vigilance is key to identifying likely setbacks ahead of time on . on a regular basis inspect the plant for signs of stress , such as brown leaves , wilting , or pest infestations .
Swift detecting enables you to implement timely interventions and rectify any emerging issues before they intensify .
4. Nutrient Boost
Should your arborvitae showing sign of dull recovery , believe append with constitutional affair like compost .
This nutritive - copious accession can advance the healing procedure , aiding the plant ’s rejuvenation and reinforce its ability to rebound .
5. Pruning Young Growth
As new growing emerges , selectively prune to direct its guidance and defend the desired anatomy .
This proactive coming forbid overcrowding and insure even growth distribution , contributing to the industrial plant ’s overall resilience .
6. Winter Preparation
fix your arborvitae for the challenges of winter is essential for long - full term wellness . utilise a layer of mulch around the base of the works to isolate the roots and protect them from uttermost temperature .
This protective bill minimizes potential winter damage .
How do you stop evergreens from growing taller?
Unfortunately , cut back or cutting your evergreen tree is the only dependable way to keep your tree diagram from growing taller .
While it is possible to stunt increase by starving the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for nutrients and water system , it will also farm an unhealthy , ugly - search tree .
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hold outgrowth inhibitor to recently pruned limbs can slow your evergreen plant from gravel marvelous . However , this still require trim the stems and will only hold up the upwards growth of your tree ; it will not stop it .
Hire an Expert
Pruning and topping trees can be both dangerous and challenging . While this article provides most of the info you need to top your arborvitae , there are always additional trade tricks .
Consider hiring a local tree surgeon expert to ensure a quality finished production that is a positive addition to your yard .
Additional Reading
Garden Tabshas a broad selection of reading on many gardening topic . Consider these articles:7 Best Arborvitae Fertilizers,17 Best Privacy Bushes And Shrubs , and19 Fast grow Shrubs For Screening Purposes .
In Closing
In this article , we answered the question of whether or not you could top arborvitae . To follow this , we provided step - by - step book of instructions on accomplishing this project .
We also let in advice on prune arborvitae and the answer to a related to question . Good chance !
