Marianne's Response
Cutting back Emerald Green Arborvitae
I have about 10 Emerald Green Arborvitae that are 12 feet or so tall. My homeowners’ association wants them cut back to 8 feet maximum. Can I do that without killing them? Please tell me I can. The cost to tear them out is beyond me right now. Thank you for your time.
Posted by tom ogden on June 30, 2014
Marianne's Response
Yes, you can cut back Emerald Green Arborvitae. The best time to do such severe pruning is early summer, so get to it immediately. Every June, trim back the new growth to keep them at 8 feet. Hope the homeowner's association goes easy on the strict rule and allows you to just remove six inches each year until they are at 8 feet. The green growth is good for the air quality and pruning plants so harshly is not good for them or the neighborhood.
Keep growing,
Marianne Binetti
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