Marianne's Response

Trimming tops of Thuja occidentalis

Our Thuja Occidentalis “Smaragd” are a year old now. When and how do you recommended trimming the tops? I heard it keeps them full and not separate at the top? Thanks a bunch!

Posted by Debbie Owens on January 28, 2019

Marianne's Response

You can trim a few inches off the top of your Thuja  to keep them more compact but I suggest you wait until May after the shrubs put out their new growth and are done with winter dormancy. This way any pruning scars will be quickly covered by summer growth. Shearing just a few inches in the spring is fine but no need to prune at all if the shrubs are looking full and appear well shaped. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti