This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Yes, you can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, but you need to do it carefully.
Cutting the top of a Green Giant arborvitae is possible, but it changes the tree’s natural shape permanently.
Many homeowners wonder if they can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae without killing it, and the answer is yes, with proper technique.
Trimming the top of a Green Giant arborvitae can help control height, but topping a Green Giant arborvitae incorrectly leads to ugly results.
In this post, we’ll explore why you can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, when to do it, and the best way to top a Green Giant arborvitae.
Let’s dive in.
Why You Can Cut the Top of a Green Giant Arborvitae
You can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, and here are the reasons it works.
1. Green Giants Are Resilient to Pruning
Green Giant arborvitae are one of the most forgiving evergreen trees when it comes to pruning.
You can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae because they tolerate heavy trimming better than many other conifers.
Their dense growth habit means that even after topping a Green Giant arborvitae, the tree will push new growth from lateral buds.
This resilience is why many landscapers safely cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae to keep hedges uniform.
2. No Fatal Shock When Done Correctly
Unlike pines, Green Giants don’t die from cutting the top off.
When you cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, you remove the central leader, but the tree doesn’t go into shock.
Instead, it redirects energy to side branches, which become new leaders.
So topping a Green Giant arborvitae is safe as long as you don’t remove more than one-third of the tree’s height at once.
3. It Helps Manage Height for Privacy Screens
Many people ask if they can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae to keep it from towering over the house.
Yes, cutting the top of a Green Giant arborvitae is a common way to limit ultimate height while maintaining a thick screen.
By topping a Green Giant arborvitae, you encourage denser branching lower down, which improves privacy.
That’s why homeowners who need a shorter hedge often cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae annually.
When to Cut the Top of a Green Giant Arborvitae
Timing matters when you decide to cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae.
1. Late Winter or Early Spring Is Best
The ideal time to cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae is in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins.
Cutting the top of a Green Giant arborvitae during dormancy reduces stress and allows the tree to heal quickly.
If you top a Green Giant arborvitae in late spring or summer, the fresh cuts may attract pests or dry out in heat.
So schedule your main trimming of the top of a Green Giant arborvitae for February or March.
2. Avoid Cutting the Top During Drought
You can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae in a dry spell, but it’s risky.
When the tree is already stressed from lack of water, topping a Green Giant arborvitae adds extra strain.
If you must cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae during a dry period, water deeply a few days before and after.
Better yet, wait for cooler, wetter conditions to top a Green Giant arborvitae.
3. Do It Before the Tree Gets Too Tall
It’s easier to cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae when the tree is still manageable in height.
Once a Green Giant arborvitae reaches 20 feet or more, cutting the top becomes a two-person job with a ladder.
Plan to top a Green Giant arborvitae when it’s about 8–12 feet tall so you can still reach the leader safely.
How to Properly Cut the Top of a Green Giant Arborvitae
Follow these steps when you cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae for best results.
1. Use Clean, Sharp Tools
When cutting the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, use bypass pruners or a sharp pruning saw.
Dull blades tear the bark, which makes healing slower after you top a Green Giant arborvitae.
Sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol before cutting the top of a Green Giant arborvitae to prevent disease spread.
2. Cut at a Slight Angle
When you cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, make a clean cut about ¼ inch above a lateral branch or bud.
Cut at a slight angle so water runs off, reducing rot risk after topping a Green Giant arborvitae.
Never leave a stub when you cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae because stubs die back and look ugly.
3. Remove No More Than One-Third of Height
If you cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae too drastically, the tree may struggle to regrow.
The golden rule is to top a Green Giant arborvitae by no more than one-third of its current height in a single year.
For example, if your tree is 15 feet tall, cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae back to about 10 feet only.
Next year you can trim another few feet if needed.
4. Shape the Crown After Cutting the Top
After you cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, the remaining branches may look uneven.
Lightly shape the sides so the tree maintains a tapered, pyramid-like form even after topping a Green Giant arborvitae.
This prevents a flat, unnatural top and encourages full, bushy regrowth on your topped Green Giant arborvitae.
5. Mulch and Water After Topping
Once you cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base.
Water deeply after topping a Green Giant arborvitae to help the tree recover from the stress of cutting the top of a Green Giant arborvitae.
Don’t fertilize immediately — wait until new growth appears in spring after you top a Green Giant arborvitae.
So, Can You Cut the Top of a Green Giant Arborvitae?
Yes, you can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae, and it’s a safe practice when done correctly.
Cutting the top of a Green Giant arborvitae allows you to control height and encourage denser growth.
But remember, topping a Green Giant arborvitae changes its shape forever, so only cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae if you truly need to manage size.
By following the right timing and techniques, you can cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae without harming the tree.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to cut the top of a Green Giant arborvitae successfully.