Evergreen Trimming - Ask Extension
I have low growing evergreens along the back of my patio. They have grown over the patio border by at least 2 feet and are leaning forward significant...
Knowledgebase
Evergreen Trimming #927259
Asked April 01, 2026, 11:35 AM EDT
I have low growing evergreens along the back of my patio. They have grown over the patio border by at least 2 feet and are leaning forward significantly. They are older but look healthy an am wondering if I could trim the front edge of the bushes by couple feet or try to tie them back and straighten them up.
Do you think they’d survive a cut back that significantly and/or what are your suggestions?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
They look like arborvitaes. They can be trimmed at any time. They are leaning because they are reaching for sunlight. Trim approximately 6-8 inches now. Do not cut all the way down to brown areas. Trim only green. They should put out new growth. Later this summer, you can trim them again. It is best to trim them once a year once you have the size you want.
