Pruning Green Giant Arborvitae: Managing Height and Width

As described in some of my other posts, we always consider population density to manage the mature size of Green Giant Arborvitae Thuja when planted in a row for privacy. Most often we recommend them to be planted 5’ apart for quick results, but planting further apart can be sensible as well if there is plenty of space.

Height of the privacy trees is often a concern as utility lines can run above and trees can be cut back significantly by the utility company at any time.

Green Giant Arborvitae Thujas are some of the favorite trees for power companies to plant around substations. Their height is very easy to manage by clipping out the main lead stem of the tree with a small clipper. Afterwards the tree in essence will stop growing in height and will get much bushier.

An alternative way to prune Green Giants Arborvitae Thujas to be bushier is shearing them in late Winter, but without clipping out the main stem. This will result in trees with higher density lower branches, but without compromising the height of the trees.

5-6’ Green Giants planted 7’’ apart to separate two properties, sheared in the early Spring to increase bushy appearance