How to Trim EMERALD GREEN Arborvitaes: Why, When, How?

[@julesdavis1845]

Thank you. I just installed our first emerald green. After watching this I feel more prepared/equipped to take care of it.

[@abdullahhussain9589]

At around 5:00 when you’re taking about not blocking the bottom I really like how you fluff the tree. I wanna fluff that fluffy tree so much! It’s so fluffy

[@michelejohnson7584]

This is exactly the information I was looking for! Thank you so much. Tree looks great.

[@THACOLLECTA]

i built a property barrier about 12 years ago. it has 10 arborvitaes and they are all exceeding expectations planted 4 feet apart and providing a barrier. my feed is sawdust and mulch . i love these plants.

[@OlgaCarmody]

You gave those beautiful trees great space! Now all the benefits are there. Enjoy!

[@karenlyons5754]

Excellent video! Bought my first six foot Emerald Green arborvitae for Christmas which will stay in a pot! I can keep it for years to come.

[@OlgaCarmody]

Sounds great! I love green arborvitaes in winter! Enjoy your new tree!

[@allofdestiny]

Great information. Thanks a lot. In Memphis and was going to trim my evergreens but now I’m thinking I def have to wait. Beautiful yard .

[@ArandaArandaAranda]

Thank you so much for your wonderful knowledge I have 3 Arborvitaes 🌲 trees here in the Dominican Republic where it's a hot tropical climate...

[@margaretchiodo-keller4495]

I enjoyed watching this video, and, even though I do not have any Arborvitae, I learned how to trim them. A very good video. Thank you.

[@mackmciver6499]

Great advice. I am going out right now to trim my 12 ft arborvitae. Details of process excellent. Great instructional video!!!

[@traceyrose6099]

❤❤ your teaching videos I'm learning so much. Thanks bunches for sharing your knowledge. Tracey.

[@OlgaCarmody]

You are so welcome!

[@NY_Patriot_Lady]

Olga, I patted my tiny 2 inch Arborvite that I am propagating in your name!!!😂😂😂 I am your new subscriber and enjoy your blogs.

[@OlgaCarmody]

Haha, your little arborvitaes were happy to be loved! Welcome!

[@martinemaud3635]

Hi, Olga. Great information that could be applied to a lot of other evergreens. Your arborvitae provide beautiful winter structure. I love how much TLC you give your plants. I don’t have any arborvitae, but I do have Spartan Junipers which I wish I had trimmed when they were young. The label states that they grow 1 metre (about 3 feet) wide, but this is not so. They have reached 3 metres(nearly 10 feet) in width, so gardeners beware! Happy gardening from Australia.

[@geoseward]

You answered my previous question before but just to get an idea of how much to trim back I have a very overgrown Arborvitae which are probably 20 feet or higher and could be this wide/diameter. I live in Dallas so my thoughts on trimming them back would be early February before new foliage time. I probably will have to hire a service because firstly I can't get that high on a regular ladder and so based on the height cutting back 20% won't make much of a difference so is 4 feet too much? These are very healthy trees. Also I was thinking of doing the cutting on the bottom myself to get an idea of what it looks like before hiring anyone.

[@PMaloney-k4x]

Best advice for complete overall care of these beautiful trees. And yes, water, water, water.

[@John-wr6yo]

Hello olga,would just like to say thank you for your exuberance and out standing personality. Your channel is refreshing and a plethora of valuable knowledge. Do you have a problem with bagg worms on your thuga and how do you stop them. It would be so nice to hold a garden symposium of some kind in my beloved new harmony indiana. There are inn accommodations and guest houses on the properties. Our town and rge enterprises host several art,music,and writers conventions,and events through the year. Nothing set in stone,just throwing the idea out there. We have never hosts gardening classes,or workshops before. In a town of 850 people it is quiet,quaint,and its natural beauty is a therapeutic time of serene reflections

[@OlgaCarmody]

Aww, thank you! Bag worms are not my problem. Don't know why, but they are just not in my garden. I had a friend who did, problem became so bad, that the service had to come in. Early inspection is a must.

[@janemills6944]

I love these plants. I have two that I planted off to the side of my porch, they are healthy & like where they are at as growth has been great. I wanted to trim the top of the biggest one as it is reaching toward the gutters. I will wait until spring. Thank you for your wisdom.

[@kevinjamesparr552]

I had 1000 in hedges.Deer got in to gardens and sued as salad bar.Cost me plenty .Killed over 120 Thija trees in hedge form down to wood . So fenced tall and replanted

[@user-kc5dq4dl9m]

Love it. Question, on a newly planted emerald about one year old, I see some roots above ground but the tree looks fine and healthy. Have you ever experienced this?

[@Doonnnnnny]

wow !! best video ever...answered many of my questiions...living in Montreal Canada with winters that challenge our 10 foot cedars with heavy snow

[@primesspct2]

Thank you so much! All I was finding were people trimming them to be a hedge. I want a tree! Thankyou! Very informative! I found my beautiful little tree as a christmas tree. It is only about 2 feet tall, I live in zone 5 , we do get below zero tempt (F) . I have it on my enclosed porch now and its not cold, yet. I don't know whether to bring it in when the temperatures get really low. I am worried being in the house they will get too hot and dry, It says to go ahead and plant it now? I would love to have your advice. Today is Nov 29/24 we are due to get temps in the teens F this week.

[@OlgaCarmody]

Your tree will not live in the house, it is going to be too dry for it, unless you are planning to keep it as a Christmas tree. Plant it out, It is kind of cold already for it, but that is the only option you have in zone 5. Make sure that you mulch it well and please water it during warm spells. Good luck.

[@vernacular1483]

This is very good info. Thank you.

[@Holly_at_gypsyhollergardens]

Good information ! Thank you! Looks like I have date with my Arb 😄💙

[@patriciaduffy2781]

Thank you, this was very helpful.

[@AaronTWas]

Fantastic video! We planted a long wall of 20 of these in hopes for them to grow to a good privacy screen. They are growing well, however I am interested in knowing about pruning them for their best health. It’s been about 4 years now and I’ve not pruned yet. Some of them have reached as tall as 7 feet and counting. Is pruning in the way discussed here a good way to care for them, if I want them to form a wall, while still keeping them from growing into one another too much? We live in Maryland, zone 7b.

[@OlgaCarmody]

The biggest thing with arborvitaes is one leader pruning. You basically trim away all the competing tops and leave one growing. Eventually the tree will fill in and you won't see unsightly gaps. We do that to avoid snow load damage in the winter and unsightly growth in the mature age. Good luck with your arborvitaes!

[@joegaruccio9708]

Love your video thanks for posting

[@smartkiltedman]

Thank you for this informative video… I have a dozen Arborvitae lining my driveway and was just wondering if it’s OK to use a hedge trimmer to gently trim up the sides or do I have to do it manually?

[@dougieh6680]

Thank you so much for the informative video. Question: I have 17 privacy arborvitae’s. Living here in Pennsylvania. This spring will be 4 years. They look healthy with no brown stems and their height is looking good. I’m concerned about the fullness. I’ve never trimmed them. What would you suggest for making these fuller and thicker? Thanks again 😊

[@OlgaCarmody]

If you want them thicker, give them a light trim once a year. Your arborvitaes will be fuller. The thin habit might be the indicator or drought or tough growing conditions... Arborvitaes do benefit from a deep soak in dry periods. Wish you much success with these beautiful trees!

[@dougieh6680]

@@OlgaCarmody Thank you. After watching your video again, I noticed the tops have 2-3 stems. By trimming and leaving the main stem, this should help the thickness as well?? Thanks again.

[@jeremycopeland281]

Hi Olga! I just transplanted or inherited, 6 emerald greens arbs. They are 5 1/2 footers. Well, it’s 33-44 degrees in Washington state. It wasn’t my plan to do this but the lady I got them from- wanted somebody to take them as they were going to get bulldozed. Anyway- any tips for me, considering the coldness!? I appreciate you

[@OlgaCarmody]

Well, well, you are right, not the best time to transplant.... But not all is lost. Right now your biggest concern would be access to water and presence of cold. I would literally cover the root area of those beauties with blankets, or soil, leaves... whatever you have. And stay of top of watering - not during freezing temperatures, but when the days are above freezing. Those trees need hydration, since they are evergreen. Good luck!

[@jeremycopeland281]

@ will do and I certainly appreciate your input. I also hope they thrive. I’ll keep you posted You’re awesome Olga!!

[@IRONWEED_]

Great advice! I am curious about trimming branches individually with a hand pruner instead of the shears?

[@OlgaCarmody]

A lot of work, but if you have a small garden, why not to love it in a slow way, right?

[@primesspct2]

@@OlgaCarmody Good, with my arthritic hands the kind of hedge clippers are so hard for me now that I am older. LOL I am good with a set of pruners though. I was going to ask the same Q

[@omararroyo5]

Hello from Pennsylvania! I just recently planted ~5ft arbs. I’m noticing there is a competing leader on my arbs. Is it ok to cut competing leaders at this point? Or should I wait for spring?

[@veritas2022]

I didn't quite understand the watering schedule. So how much do you water a mature arborvitaes? 18 litres? How frequently?

[@OlgaCarmody]

I put a hose there and do 3-6 gallons per plant. Deep watering. If weather is dry, I water once a week, especially in the fall. Thanks.

[@AnnKramer-zo9xs]

My hedge of emerald green arborvitae is being crowded by varigated euonymus thus prohibiting growth. I'm considering taking the euonymus out so the arborvitae can "regenerate". When should I do this? It's mid June in Virginia zone 5.

[@OlgaCarmody]

Please do it asap, this way your arborvitaes will have a sigh of relief and will have some good time to regenerate. Prepare to be patient though.

[@careymeaway2024]

will the leaders to grow roots if propagated correctly?

[@RobertTotten-md2ge]

My 1 1/2 meter emerald tree has 2 trunks on it at ground level. Should I cut one off or just leave it alone?

[@AFutureLegend]

What if I want to keep the arborvitae the same shape as in this video, but I want to keep it smaller. Can I shape it and cut it to keep the shape only smaller

[@Thunderbird68-i2f]

Hello Olga! I have a 'North Pole' pyramidal arbovitae that is growing 4 leaders at once. It has gone through 3 winters and has not been trimmed since it was planted. Which leader do I choose and how do I clip the others off? It has also suffered unnatractive winter burn/damage this year in its mid section. How do I encourage that brown section to grow back?

[@OlgaCarmody]

You can just snip off the top of leaders which you don't want. I showed that in my video on trimming arborvitaes. I had one leader there and I cut the top off. Check it out. As for the damaged middle section. It is tough. Arborvitaes don't rejuvenate very well. You can stay on top of watering and make sure they receive good sun. It might take them time to come back, or your arborvitae will decide on not living after all. Time will show.

[@Thunderbird68-i2f]

@@OlgaCarmody Thank you.

[@PuppyBiteforTrump]

@mickey5779 I recommend using Holly Tone by Espoma in early spring and mid summer. Had same problem and we had a Arborist recommend and also to clean out the dead stuff.(wear gloves) That was 4 years ago and in some areas still recovering but look so much healthier. Watering is a must though drought seasons and though I live in a rainy climate I started watering in fall when the forecast shows no rain.

[@khartoumist1031]

Yo Olga I've got a few of these but they're too tall for my taste. Can I just cut the top to the height I want and shape it accordingly?

[@PNWlawnguy1973]

Is it ok to spay some iron on your arbs to give them a dark green look? I hit my grass occasion.

[@OlgaCarmody]

You can do that, but make sure that your arborvitaes are suffering from iron deficiency indeed. I would do soil test( maybe you did it already) and investigate.

[@soniamonia573]

Some of my 4ft tall arborvitaes are partially yellow. One is about 80% yellow. Would they ever turn green or is it lost battle? Thank you

[@OlgaCarmody]

I am afraid it might be a lost battle. Even if you trim those unsightly brown stems, you will end up with empty holes in the canopy, which might not rejuvenate at all. So, my recommendation would be, either to invest into other plants which are better equipped to handle your local conditions, or if you really want arborvitaes, buy again and stay on top of watering (sunny location is almost a must)>

[@karenlyons5754]

What are the little ones or yellow and brown seeds that are on my Emerald Green arborvitae?

[@OlgaCarmody]

They are seeds and they are normal. Your arborvitaes created them.

[@cameraz99]

Suppose an arborvitae has become too tall -- 12 feet -- when you want it to be 8 feet? Any way to accomplish that without killing the tree?

[@OlgaCarmody]

Ah, that would be tough. Expert advice is to trim them as they grow, bit by bit (taking that top growth every year to the wanted height). You can do it if there is no other way and see how arborvitaes respond, which is tough too. Make sure you don't let them experience drought during drastic height adjustments. Good luck!

[@geoseward]

So what happpens when an Arborvitae is too large meaning they haven't been trimmed in years what do you do?

[@OlgaCarmody]

You can give them a light trim, nothing major. They don't like heavy trimming and might suffer. If there is no way and you have to reduce the size, make sure that they are not stressed by drought or severe weather. Good luck!

[@geoseward]

@@OlgaCarmody Thanks for the quick reply. Because I am in Dallas, Texas and we are in the beginning of summer I am not going to trim until next spring. My arborvitae are a good 20 plus feet across and they were that big when I bought this home and they are spilling out over my fence into the yard, etc. The crux of my question relates to how far from a percentage of width in your experience can be cut back. These arborvitae have been in the ground for over 20 years. Also in your experience after cutting do arborvitaes tend to have new growth in the areas that have been trimmed or cut and is this a long or short process. Thanks again

[@busterbuster8193]

Which arborvitae does not grow multiple leaders? I understand some are known for growing multiple leaders and some arborvitae are known to grow single leaders. Thank you ...

[@willaerley7140]

Is your yard fenced in? Where I live, the deer turn those into green lollipops.

[@OlgaCarmody]

Yes, I have very secluded back garden. In our area lollipop Arborvitaes are everywhere.

[@primesspct2]

I have a free roaming dog, or nothing would grow here in Ohio in US!

[@emmalavenham]

Kudos. But I must say that I think far too few people out there will be willing to put in the time and the effort (or the money to hire someone), and those that are willing may be unaware how wide these trees could get - if planted for privacy There are so many great alternatives out there - such as spruces like Cupressina - they just need to be grown more in the trade to bring the prices down

[@OlgaCarmody]

Agree, although the industry will always go with easy to propagate and grow option. And gardeners don't know unfortunately.

[@googleuser8036]

Strange. Every pruning instruction out out there insists on going from top to bottom, while you are advising the opposite.

[@OlgaCarmody]

I don't think about the direction, if the job is done well, then it doesn't metter where to start. Thank you and happy gardening!

[@sadeghifarhad8258]

Ridi b derakht

[@nicoj3660]

Thank you Ms Olga

[@Holly_at_gypsyhollergardens]

Good information ! Thank you! Looks like I have date with my Arb 😄💙