Fast growing, opaque and evergreen - these are the advantages of thuja hedges. With their scale-like leaves, the plants protect the garden from prying eyes. The trees of life are also considered to be robust and easy to care for. The thuja has long since left its reputation as a "retro plant" behind and is therefore experiencing a new comeback in domestic gardens. A special feature of the cultivation is the pruning of the vigorous plants.
care measure
Thuja hedges are versatile. In addition to their function as an opaque privacy fence, you can use the easy-care plants to delimit individual areas or decoratively border your terrace. With age, the lower parts of the thuja become lignified, creating a natural and impenetrable barrier against stray dogs and cats. If the cypress plants are left to their own devices, they can reach a height of well over 10 m. In order for the trees to develop optimally, regular pruning is required.
Trees of life are pruning compatible. With a little effort and effort, it is possible to cut the upright growing plants into unusual shapes or give them structure. This measure should be started with young plants. Thujen react sensitively to a radical pruning. For this reason, it is also difficult to bring older hedges back into shape.
- woody branches no longer sprout in the lower area
- when cutting, you should not remove the green, scaly part of the shoots
- regular pruning stimulates growth
Some gardeners find that thujas can be left to their own devices and no pruning is necessary. In the case of privacy hedges, however, this leads to an unsightly appearance within a few years. Even when planting hedges, the cypress plants can reach a height that makes work difficult. When using ladders, the risk of accidents increases and a second person should be brought in to help with the care measure.
time
The optimal time
To protect breeding and nesting birds, a Federal Nature Conservation Act was passed a few years ago that prohibits the radical pruning of hedges between the beginning of March and the end of September. With a well-groomed and regularly trimmed Thuja hedge, this rule only applies if you put it on stock. This step is not advisable because the plants with the needle-like leaves will not recover from it.
- hedges can be pruned up to 3 times a year
- frequent cutting makes sense for young plants and stimulates bushy growth
- Hedges are cut from March to September
- do not cut in the hot midday heat
You can make the first cut in March or April. Trees of life are considered hardy, late onset frost cannot damage the plants. Depending on the variety, thujas grow between 20 - 40 cm per year. If necessary, you can shorten fast-growing cypress plants at the end of May. The 3rd and last cut takes place between the end of August and mid-September. In late summer, plants are preparing for winter and growth slows.
From autumn and in wet weather you should not make a cut. The interfaces are an optimal entry point for fungal spores and pathogens. Due to the weather, the thujas cannot close the wounds quickly enough. The vital plant sap escapes and causes the leaves to wilt.
tool
The right tool
Many gardeners swear by motorized hedge trimmers. Solitary bushes and hedges can be cut back within a short time. With thujas, you should avoid using battery-operated or electricity-powered devices. This gives you much more control over how much the shoots are shortened. You need the following tools for cutting thuja.
- hedge trimmer
- pruning saw
- Ladder for tall plants
- gloves
- long-sleeved work clothes
All parts of the distinctive arborvitae are poisonous. This is not only noticeable when eating leaves and flowers. The escaping plant sap can lead to skin irritation and eczema. Protect yourself with gloves and solid clothing. As a further precaution, you can wear safety goggles for your eyes.
Well-sharpened garden tools make work easier and protect against accidents. Thoroughly clean scissors and any other equipment used. In this way you prevent diseases and pests from multiplying uncontrollably in the garden. Another special tip to minimize the risk of danger when pruning popular plants: You should seek professional help for thujas that have reached a growth height of more than 4 m. The top of the cone-shaped growth is weak. Working with ladders can be difficult in this area.
pruning
The right cut
When and how you start cutting depends on the shape you want. As already mentioned, you should start with the educational pruning of young thujas if you want to bring the plants into a desired shape. Exotic structures such as boxwood are possible to a limited extent, but require patience and skill. Create a sketch to have a rough starting point.
- start topiary after planting
- only a few centimeters should be cut back at a time
- You can permanently remove unwanted branches close to the trunk
- You should not cut the tree of life in winter
- shorten by a maximum of 2/3 of the annual growth
If the cypress plants are left to grow undisturbed, they develop their natural, elegant pyramid shape. Here it is advisable to shorten the plants only minimally every year in order to keep the growth height low.
- cut back long main shoots after planting
- do not cut back into the old brown wood
- You can remove dead and wilted shoots all year round
When pruning thujas, the rule of thumb is: Less, but more often. Getting older plants back into a presentable shape is difficult. But even if the evergreen trees in the old wood no longer sprout, you don't have to shy away from cutting. Small mistakes are quickly covered by laterally growing young shoots.