They are also thirsty trees and prefer consistently moist soil.
Its also important to consider the full mature height of your arborvitae.
Arborvitae trees create dense evergreen foliage that can make excellent “living walls” when privacy is needed.
Bob Stefko.
Wet the roots slightly and loosen them up before placing your tree in the hole.
Backfill the hole halfway and then soak the soil in the hole.
Finish backfilling the hole with soil to the top edge of the root ball and then water again thoroughly.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Allow 3 to 4 feet between planted trees when using arborvitae as a privacy fence or windbreak.
Too much shade, however, and their growth may be stunted or their foliage sparse.
Most arborvitae types will want weekly, low and slow watering, especially in the first year following transplantation.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Use a soaker hose or trickle system to water the tree slowly and gently.
Once your arborvitae is established, periodically check the soil.
This avoids wasting water and helps prevent root rot from developing.
Credit: Jason Wilde
Arborvitaes grown in containers may need more frequent wateringpossibly as often as daily in hot, dry conditions.
you’re free to prune away dead or damaged limbs as new growth emerges in the spring.
If the entire tree has turned brown, it may not be salvageable.
Credit: Denny Schrock
This will help insulate the roots and reduce moisture loss.
Keep your arborvitaes well-hydrated throughout the season (particularly if they are exposed to drying winter winds).
Even in chilly temperatures, they will still need about an inch of water per week or more.
Credit: Laurie Black
Heavy snow and ice can cause damage to arborvitae limbsespecially when paired with high winds.
If you could, brush off snow before it bends or breaks the branches.
Wrapping young and sensitive plants in burlap can also help prevent winter burn.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Prune arborvitae in the spring for thick foliage.
Only trim where leaves grow, not back to the base of the plant.
If there are dead branches, they should be removed.
Credit: Paul Vandevelder
Potting and Repotting Arborvitae
Arborivitae does well in pots, but only outdoors.
Use a soil-based potting mix.
Keep the soil damp but not soggy.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
This can cause significant damage in severe situations and even kill the trees.
Luckily, there are burn-resistant varieties.
A few pestsmay bother your arborvitae.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Spider mites can appear, especially during hot and dry summer days.
Bagworms can also attack arborvitae.
These are the cocoons of bagworms.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
How to Propagate Arborvitae
you might propagate arborvitae from cuttings rooted in late summer or early fall.
confirm your cutting has soft, green foliage and a woody base.
Strip any foliage from the base of the cutting and dust it with rooting hormone powder.
Place it in a location with filtered light and keep it under a glass or plastic dome.
Water your arborvitae cutting every time the soil feels dry.
Transplant to a bigger pot if necessary and plant your new arborvitae plant outside in the spring.
It grows 60 feet tall and 15 feet wide at maturity.
Zones 2-7
Mr.
Zones 3-7
‘Smaragd’ Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis’Smaragd' is a dwarf variety that forms bright green cones.
It grows three feet tall and wide.
It grows 32 inches tall and wide.
Zones 2-7
‘Sunkist’ Oriental Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis’Sunkist' is a dwarf globe-shape variety with gold-tipped leaves.
It grows three feet tall and wide.
At maturity, it grows 60 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
It grows 15 feet tall and eight feet wide.
“It’s not recommended to be used for this condition now.
The lifespan of most arborvitae trees grown in yards and gardens is estimated at 50 to 150 years.
In the wild, it can be quite different.
With surrounding forests and wildlife, arborvitae can mature slowly and live for 200 to 400 years.
In fact, there are accounts ofT.
occidentalistrees in Ontario, Canada that are said to be over 1,000 years old.
Sink the stakes evenly around the tree at a 45-degree angle away from the trunk.
Dig around the trunk (at least 2 to 3 feet deep) and loosen up the roots.
The eventual size of arborvitae depends on many factorsnot the least of which is the throw in.
The American arborvitae can get as tall as 4060 feet and spread 1015 feet when fully matured.
Techny and North Pole cultivars will only grow to about 15 tall and 7 or 10 feet wide.
On the lifespan of arborvitae trees.
Elisabeth C. Miller Library.
