How to Plant an Arborvitae Hedge

Obtain small arborvitae trees from a commercial nursery in the spring and summer. They will typically be balled and burlapped saplings between 1 and 2 years of age.

Select a planting site for the arborvitae hedge. These trees grow best in full sun, but they can also tolerate partial shade. The soil should be fertile with good drainage.

Dig a hole for each arborvitae with a shovel. The hole should be no deeper than the root ball of the sapling and at least twice as wide. The spacing of the holes depends on the cultivar, but it will generally be at least equal to the spread of the adult tree.

Remove as much of the burlap as possible without disturbing the root ball of the arborvitae tree. Place the tree in the hole and fill the hole halfway with native soil. Pat the soil down and water it thoroughly. Fill in the rest of the hole, pack the soil again and water it thoroughly.

Form a berm around the hole with native soil to help retain water. Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the root zone of the arborvitae sapling, allowing several inches of bare soil around the sapling.

Water the arborvitae saplings during the first growing season whenever the upper few inches of soil dry out. The water should soak the entire root ball.

Prune the plants with pruning shears in early spring to early summer to match the desired shaped.