How to Prune an Arborvitae Inches Above Ground

Arborvitae are evergreen shrubs commonly used as hedges. It is important to prune your arborvitae regularly to maintain its health and keep its shape. Pruning also allows you to change the shape as you like. It is important, as an arborvitae grows older, to keep pruning it to allow sunlight and air to get through. Pruning down to the ground is necessary to rejuvenate an older or weaker shrub to help it renew itself.

Chainsaw
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Clean a pair of pruning shears or a chainsaw well before cutting the arborvitae. If you are concerned about spreading disease, it's important to disinfect the shears or saw with a wipe of alcohol or household bleach over the blades.
- 2
  Wait until early spring to cut the arborvitae before the shrub flowers and buds.
- 3
  Cut the shrub down in sections so you can remove branches as you go.
- 4
  Remove secondary branches and their leaders first to keep the shrub's main trunk intact.
- 5
  Continue cutting and removing branches until the arborvitae is a few inches above the ground.

Fertilizing & Reseeding Grass

Lawn Maintenance