Cutting thuja: timing & topiary

Thujas (also called trees of life) belong to the conifers. As hedges, they need to be trimmed regularly and properly. We have tips ready for you.

In this country they can be found in almost every garden and are particularly popular as a hedge and privacy screen to neighbors or to the street - we are talking about Thujen or tree of life (Thuja). If conifers are not cut regularly, they can take on a larger volume than you would like. We show when and how you can best prune thuja hedges and other conifers.

When to cut thuja and conifers?

Basically, it is good practice to prune thuja hedges, like most conifers, in the summer while the plant is growing. Usually one cut per year is sufficient. If necessary, another care cut ensures a more neat look. Ideally, choose a cloudy day, as the freshly cut shoots burn quickly in direct sunlight.

However, you should definitely note that major pruning in the summer half of the year is not allowed due to nature conservation in Germany. In the following you will learn how to properly trim the hedge.

These products are ideal for cutting your shrubs, hedges and trees:

• Felco secateurs: Manual pruning, pruning and pruning shears recommended for all types of cutting. In addition to plastic-coated handles, it has a precision adjustment system for the blade and anvil blade.
• Felco fruit tree and secateurs: Robust fruit tree and secateurs with wire cutter, sap groove and micrometer adjustment.
• Gardena telescopic arm scissors: Practical secateurs for effortless cutting of tall trees and dense shrubs from the ground.

Thuja hedge: how much to cut?

A special feature of conifers - and thus also of thuja - is the property that plant growth only takes place at the tips of the shoots. It is therefore very important that only the younger and outer shoots are cut and that you proceed carefully. If a thuja hedge is cut too heavily, so that the inside of the bush is exposed, no new shoots will grow back at this point. You should therefore in any case refrain from pruning down to the hedge as is the case with other hedges.

Cut the thuja and conifers into shape

Thuja hedges and other conifers are particularly popular because of their great design ability and high opacity. Basically, they can be cut wonderfully into shape on the sides, as long as you only work superficially and do not go too deep into the hedge. Ideally, cut the thuja so that it becomes wider at the bottom. In this way you guarantee a good supply of light to all parts of the plant. Cuts at the tip of Thujen are also possible. However, you should definitely pay attention to a certain minimum height, otherwise you can look into the upper end of the bush. Only after several months does the gap gradually close and should therefore not be at eye level for a beautiful appearance.

Cut the thuja in a spiral

A popular shape in arborvitae is a spiral that becomes more pointed towards the top. This works particularly well with Thujen because they grow very densely. For orientation, first lay a cord in a spiral over the plant. Now you can start from above to cut between the cord notches, which get smaller towards the bottom. For precise work, it is worth using a battery-powered saw or scissors instead of a chainsaw.

Cut the thuja in a ball

The cut to the sphere is basically very simple and does not require a lot of effort. Cut your thuja down so that the widest part is midway through the plant. Be careful not to cut away too much green at the top and bottom and be careful not to create a point.

Also at Fertilizing thuja there are a few things to consider. You can find more about this in our special article.