How To Prune Arborvitaes Below The Roof Line

Waiting too long to prune Arborvitaes that have reached a roof line can drastically jeopardize their natural form if taking off too much growth. This video looks at pruning back three Holmstrup Arborvitaes before it’s too late.
Holmstrup Arborvitae | One Of My Favorite Plants
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[@miketemple7686]

FINALLY someone who explained what to do instead of a spead up time lapse of before and after video. Excellent!🌲

[@BonnyScotland17]

WOW! Thank you for this video! The arborvitae in our front yard has gotten so tall and we haven't known how to cut/trim it back. You're a great instructor! Your arborvitae look so natural after you cut them back.😃

[@SAHamel_]

Wow, you did a fabulous pruning on those shrubs - they look so much better. You're really good at what you do; and teaches us well.

[@ryancalkins7553]

I’m planting Holmstrup Arborvitae but can’t really find any info on how they differ from Emerald Green online. Anyone have thoughts on it? Also, I didn’t know you could prune the leaders on them! Will that cause it to get wider? Kevin, you are very concise and a great teacher. No mumbo jumbo on your channel!

[@gardenhike]

On average, Emerald will be taller than Holmstrup but about the same width. Holmstrup is considered more cold temperature hardy. Emerald is usually listed as Zone 4 but I think it is a Zone 5 conifer. As a general rule of thumb, anytime you prune the terminals on trees and shrubs, it will stimulate lateral (wider) growth. But if you are shearing, it is easy to manage any extra width.

[@ryancalkins7553]

⁠Thanks!

[@debral7727]

Awesome thank you so much I'm cutting mine this week

[@Anonymously4051]

Excellent instructions, thank you.

[@corystuard6251]

I've got my first set of shears arriving tomorrow. Time for light pruning on some Forever Goldie's & Green Arbs!

[@kaystinebrink1220]

After your example, I went outside and cut off a few inches of my mini arbs which were getting too tall. Thanks much.

[@cherieraatikka3607]

Help?! Last year I edged my patio with Holmstrup Arborvitae. According to the tag 4’-5’ tall and 1.5’-2’ wide. Yours are much bigger than the information on my plant tag! Are yours larger than normal or is the tag that far off? Do you think I can keep them pruned to 4’-5’? Or have I made a terrible mistake and maybe I should dig them up while I still can? Zone 4 MN if that makes a difference.

[@50hellkat2]

You cut the point off the middle tree. Will that centre leader grow back?

[@gardenhike]

Yes, if you allow it to grow taller again a leader will form. It is referred to as apical dominance.

[@johnhumphreys7677]

I have to put a tunnel between two arbs that have grown together. Any advice ?

[@gardenhike]

That’s a tough one. It sounds like you’ll be pruning deep into each plant and exposing branches with no leaves. Perhaps a small Arbor placed in the tunnel/walkway would mask the “dead” look.

[@philipsanders9192]

Never use a painters ladder. When your on top and reaching over the tall plants,the ladder wants to pevit on One leg. Very dangerous. Buy or rent an orchard ladder. Alittle more to get use to,but a lot safer. Take care. Peace.