Best Time to Trim or Top Off Arborvitaes - Ask Extension
In Michigan, when is the best time of the year to trim or 'top off' an Arborvitaes tree?
I'm trying to get it to grow wider, not taller.
Any pru...
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Best Time to Trim or Top Off Arborvitaes #916354
Asked September 03, 2025, 2:22 PM EDT
In Michigan, when is the best time of the year to trim or 'top off' an Arborvitaes tree?
I'm trying to get it to grow wider, not taller.
Any pruning tips would be appreciated.
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Dave,
Late winter or early spring is the best time to prune evergreens; you can also touch up the pruning in late June, once new growth has fully flushed out.
The article below outlines the nuances of pruning an arborvitae, including illustrations.
https://www.finegardening.com/project-guides/pruning/how-to-prune-arborvitae?
The article states late June to early July as the best time to prune; information is mixed on this. I stand by my original statement of doing the majority of pruning in late spring, just before the new flush of growth occurs, then touching up the pruning after the first flush of growth occurs (late June - early July).
Never remove more than 1/3 of the total plant's greenery when pruning. And always start slow; you can always trim more later.
Feel free to reach out if you have any quesitons.
Thank you,
-Julie
Late winter or early spring is the best time to prune evergreens; you can also touch up the pruning in late June, once new growth has fully flushed out.
The article below outlines the nuances of pruning an arborvitae, including illustrations.
https://www.finegardening.com/project-guides/pruning/how-to-prune-arborvitae?
The article states late June to early July as the best time to prune; information is mixed on this. I stand by my original statement of doing the majority of pruning in late spring, just before the new flush of growth occurs, then touching up the pruning after the first flush of growth occurs (late June - early July).
Never remove more than 1/3 of the total plant's greenery when pruning. And always start slow; you can always trim more later.
Feel free to reach out if you have any quesitons.
Thank you,
-Julie
