Arborvitae are hardy , fast - growing evergreen plant tree . Commonly used as windscreen or hedges , arborvitae also make attractive accents for many landscaping applications . However , before you implant an arborvitae you are wondering how openhanded these plants get ? Well , you have come to the right place . In this post , we provide information on the height and spread of most usual arborvitae metal money .

Depending on the cultivar , landscaping arborvitae range from a max of 2 feet to a maximum of 70 invertebrate foot in height . This wide superlative range comes with a dispersed image of 1.5 foot to 20 substructure . Arborvitae specie that make up this scatter admit :

show the repose of this Wiley Post for details on how magnanimous the above - list arborvitae grow . We also include details on each metal money ’s preferred growing condition . In addition , we provide advice on how to prune arborvitae as well as the answer to a few related questions .

A huge line up of a tall arborvitaes for landscaping at a private residential area

Arborvitae Size by Species

As mentioned above , arborvitae species vary greatly in size of it . Even the specific dimension in the accompany subdivision are open to the case-by-case works ’s grow condition and regiment of care . To learn more about how each of these cultivars of arborvitae will originate in your specific realm , consult a local gardening expert . If you want to get your USDA hardiness zone , usethis connectedness .

To serve like for your arborvitae , read this big clause on arborvitae fertilizer:7 Best Arborvitae Fertilizers .

American or Eastern (Thuja occidentalis)

The American or easterly arborvitae achieve a height of 50 foot to 70 feet and a spread of 10 feet to 15 foot . This plant fly high in hardiness zones 3 - 7 , prefers full sun , and tolerates a wide reach of soil types . The growth shape is of a wide pyramid , which , combined with their sizing , create the American arborvitae a popular selection for wind and pot screens .

Giant (Thuja standishii x plicata)

The giant arborvitae reaches a height of 50 base to 60 feet and a spread of 12 foot to 20 base , making this the broad of the arborvitae species . Unlike the American arborvitae , the jumbo arborvitae thrives in both full sun and fond sun conditions . While tolerant to a wide mountain chain of soils , very sandy , very plastered , and overly piquant soils should be keep off .

Korean (Thujakoraiensis)

The Korean arborvitae grows to a maximal peak of 15 feet to 30 groundwork with a mature spread of 10 fundament to 15 ft . This evergreen plant grows best in hardiness zones 5 to hardiness zone 8 . This shrub is easy to care for and grows well in either full sun or partial shade . It prefers a moderate amount of watering so only require special water during times of drought and hotness .

Japanese (Thujastandishii)

Japanese arborvitae attain a ripe height of 20 foot to 30 feet , making them slightly larger than the Korean arborvitae . They have a spread of 10 feet to 15 feet . Like most arborvitae , this tree prefer full Sunday to fond shade but does good in hardiness geographical zone 5 through 8 . The leaves of this particular species are quite aromatic with what is described as a lemony smell .

Sichuan (Thuja sutchuenensis)

This arborvitae mintage grows to a superlative of 30 feet to 65 feet when mature and with a likely spread of 10 feet to 15 feet . This cultivar prefers a narrower range of environment so does best in hardiness geographical zone 6 and 7 . Like other arborvitaes , this species prefers full to partial sun and a moderate amount of water . This species was presumed extinct until rediscovered in 1999 .

Golden Globe (Thuja occidentalisvariety)

Golden globe arborvitae is a smaller version of this evergreen shrub . At matureness , it reaches a sizing of about 4 feet improbable by 4 feet wide of the mark . It can be grow in hardiness zones 2 through 8 , prefer medium sum of water , and full to fond sunshine . It is alone due to its golden - hued foliage .

Danica (Thuja occidentalisvariety)

This rightful midget arborvitae only grow to a size of about 2 foot by 1.5 - invertebrate foot when mature . It makes for excellent green all - year add-on to landscaping and as nerve pathway edge . This variety of arborvitae prefers full Dominicus and moderate moisture .

How long does it take for arborvitae to establish?

Some of the arborvitae described above are wearisome growing than others . However , it generally takes a full time of year for these plant to get fully lay down . This of class varies based on local growing conditions and grade of care .

While your arborvitae is establishing itself , you probably will not notice significant upward growth . alternatively , the tree / shrub is steady down so as to thrive for years to come up . It is wise to check that your works is well - watered during the raw organization period .

How much space do arborvitae need?

As described in the above sections , different varieties and coinage of arborvitae have importantly different size ranges . This means that they also require different amounts of place . As a rule of pollex , give your plants all the space they demand to gain full sizing . However , you’re able to constitute arborvitae closer than their maximal breadth for produce a more solid hedging .

If you plan on plant arborvitae nigher than their maximal spread , make indisputable that each tree is given at least 80 percent of its full potential . This allows the tree to still originate to a respectable sizing without being herd . This situation is best paired with active trimming and care .

Can you keep arborvitae small?

Yes , you could . One of the advantages of arborvitae is how easy prune - capable they are . If there is a certain size or height you want your arborvitae , simply prune it to that size as the industrial plant convey former . However , show the following subsection to ensure that youprunethem properly . Otherwise , you might end up kill or permanently damaging your arborvitae .

When should arborvitae be pruned?

When you prune your arborvitae depends on the end end . The preferent time of year is different for tenuous pruning to wield the ecumenical shape , shaping a hedging , and pruning to shorten or significantly modify your arborvitae ’s size . It is possible to trim all in material at any meter .

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If you need to maintain an ornamental look , prune from spring to mid - summer . This tolerate your works meter to regrow shoot before the winter truly set in . When pruning for ornamental looks , slightly overcut errant branches so your arborvitae will grow into the desired final shape .

A tall arborvitae plant on a white background

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When trim down the top or sides of an arborvitae hedging , the right clock time to bring down is recent outflow to before mid - summertime , after the tree has flowered . This allows your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree prison term to go back but still conserve its shape . Many nurseryman will also shape their hedges again in late summer with a more precise trim . To learn more about how arborvitae are used as hedges , read this article:17 Best Privacy Bushes And Shrubs .

Yes , you may . If you are topping or significantly changing your arborvitae ’s size of it , the near time to do this is during the wintertime . This is because the plant hive away a lot of the nutrients in the roots during wintertime , which it will still have access to after you make significant height change . If you wait until spring or summertime , the topping cognitive process will put undue stress on the plant .

A huge untrimmed arborvitae shrub photographed on a park

Take care , once you top an arborvitae , the top becomes straightforward and will not regain the original conical shape . This is because the arborvitae will not send out extra top leadership .

How much can you trim arborvitae?

Generally , you should avoid swerve more than 1 - foot of your arborvitae in a exclusive pruning . Cutting more can gravely damage your plant and lead to bald billet . However , you could go past this recommendation for significant winter prunings .

Will arborvitae grow back after trimming?

As long as you follow the above advice , and if your arborvitae is sizeable to get going with , it will grow back after trimming . However , if you are apprehensive about your arborvitae get back , verify to rationalise less aggressively . The safest alternative is to only prune still dark-green woodwind instrument . you could check for unripened Ellen Price Wood by scratch the offshoot with your fingernail .

In Closing

In this post , we have answered the interrogation of how big arborvitae get . The response is broken down by common arborvitae cultivar . In addition , we provide tips on pruning arborvitae and the answers to a few related questions . in force luck !

A long line of arborvitae plants along a dirt road

An up close photo of an arborvitae leaf

A man holding the leaves of a shrub

A beautiful butterfly lying on the leaf of an arborvitae

An untrimmed shrub planted on a slopping hill

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