Slow Growing Arborvitae

The Danica arborvitae is a true dwarf variety. When fully grown, this tree-turned-shrub will only reach two feet off the ground. It makes an excellent accent in gardens and grows well in pots.

What arborvitae only grows 6 feet tall?

The Emerald Petite Arborvitae is the world's first ever true dwarf Emerald Arborvitae tree. It is a fast-growing evergreen with dense emerald lacy foliage, and it grows to a maximum of 6 feet tall. This is a perfect centerpiece ornamental tree, or it would work in a formal privacy hedge.

How do you stop arborvitae from growing taller?

To reduce your arborvitae's height, cut above the spot where the branch meets the shoot. This will reduce shoot growth higher than the cut. For branches that shoot out beyond the border of the foliage, cutting them back inside the border will help maintain the look you want.

How quickly do arborvitaes grow?

The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreen—shooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter.

What is the difference between Thuja and arborvitae?

Different suppliers will refer to some trees as either an Arborvitae or a Thuja. This has created confusion among individuals thinking that they are two different trees, however, they are the same species.

Can you trim arborvitae to keep them small?

Arborvitaes generally don't need much pruning, but here are a few times you need to get out your Felcos. It is often possible to reduce the height of the leader. It is wisest to shorten it by no more than a third; going back by half or more is too drastic and potentially harmful.

Can I cut the top off my arborvitae?

Arborvitae will produce growth from dormant buds on old wood. The lower branches need sunlight and air flow to grow so you will need to continue to trim these trees. Both the vertical shoots at the top and throughout the tree should be trimmed so that they don't shade and prevent air flow for the bottom branches.

What happens when you cut the top off an arborvitae?

When the top of an arborvitae is cut off, however, it creates a very flat and unsightly appearance. No new growth will occur once the upward growing branch tips have been cut, and no horticultural benefit exists for topping an arborvitae.

Can you keep a green giant arborvitae small?

They will need to be pruned each year after the annual growth hardens off. Start at the top reducing the height as much as possible, then prune the sides from the top down. Attempting to or keeping them approximately 1/4 their normal size will likely shorten their lives.

What is the best arborvitae for privacy?

Emerald Green Arborvitae is the ultimate choice for a dense privacy hedge. With an Emerald Green hedge, there is zero chance of seeing anything through it. It grows slowly and requires very infrequent pruning.

How much does a 12 foot arborvitae cost?

Height	Tree Price	Tree price + Labor
5.5′-6′	$175.00	$255.00
9′-10′	$325.00	$610.00
12′ -13′	$825 .00	$1,550 .00

How late can you plant arborvitaes?

When to Plant Arborvitae. Plant in early spring when the soil can be worked or in the fall before the ground freezes.

Which is better Leyland cypress or arborvitae?

These two trees have different hardiness zones from one another, with the Leyland cypress preferring warmer regions compared to the slightly cold tolerant Green Giant Arborvitae. For example, the Green Giant thrives in hardiness zones 4 through 9, while the Leyland cypress thrives in zones 5 through 10.

What can I use instead of arborvitae?

Best Plants for Privacy Screening (that don't look like...

• Evergreen vine on a trellis.
• Little Gem Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' ...
• Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' ...
• Hicks Yew – Taxus x media 'Hicksii' ...
• Weeping Alaskan Cedar – Chamaecyparis noot. ...
• Schipka Cherry Laurel – Prunus laur.

What is the most hardy arborvitae?

Emerald Green Arborvitae are hardy, resilient trees that can stand up to drought, insects, and extreme temperatures—all while making excellent accent trees, foundation plants, or privacy screens.

What happens if arborvitae are planted too close together?

Planting too close together: Homeowners, who wanted a really dense screen rapidly, often plant arborvitae far too close together. As they grow the competition for light, root space, water and nutrients mean the plants suffer. Also allow for final height.

How close can you plant arborvitae for privacy?

For a privacy hedge, plant about 3 feet apart on center. This evergreen tree has very dense foliage and is fairly even in width from top to bottom, so you want to avoid planting Emerald Green trees too close.

Can arborvitae be planted close to House?

An arborvitae shrub usually spreads to a width of about 15 feet when fully grown, so planting it about 7 or 8 feet from a house, or half it's mature width, is ideal.

What time of year should you trim arborvitae?

A: The best time to prune arborvitae is at the end of winter -- right before new growth begins. It's fine to shear them just don't go back so far that you're into bare wood. They won't push out much (if any) new growth from that inner, oldest wood.

What problems do arborvitae have?

Arborvitae face a variety of challenges with pests and disease. Pest problems include bagworms, scale, leafminers, and spider mites. Occasional disease issues such as tip blight can also occur. When plants are young or under stresses, it may also be a good idea to fertilize trees and shrubs on a regular basis.