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You can trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae, but it’s not always the safest choice for your tree.
If you’ve been wondering whether you can trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae to control height, the answer is yes, but only under specific conditions.
Trimming the top of emerald green arborvitae can permanently alter the shape and health of the plant if done wrong.
Many homeowners want to trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae to keep them from growing too tall or to fix storm damage.
In this post, we’ll explore when you can trim the top of emerald green arborvitae safely, the risks of topping an arborvitae, and the best techniques for pruning emerald green arborvitae correctly.
Let’s dig into the details so you can make an informed decision for your landscape.
Why You Might Need to Trim the Tops of Emerald Green Arborvitae
Trimming the tops of emerald green arborvitae is often driven by practical needs in a home landscape.
Here are the most common reasons why people choose to cut the top of emerald green arborvitae.
1. Controlling Height Near Structures or Power Lines
Emerald green arborvitae can grow 10 to 15 feet tall over time.
If you have them planted close to a house, garage, or utility line, you may need to trim the top of emerald green arborvitae to prevent contact.
Trimming the tops of emerald green arborvitae in these situations keeps the plants from rubbing against siding or interfering with overhead wires.
Just remember that once you top an arborvitae, it will rarely regrow that central leader.
2. Repairing Storm Damage or Broken Tips
Heavy snow, ice, or wind can snap the upper branches of an arborvitae.
If the top is broken or torn, you may need to trim the top of emerald green arborvitae to remove the damaged portion.
Cutting a jagged or split top helps the tree heal and prevents disease from entering the wound.
In this case, trimming the tops of emerald green arborvitae is more of a cleanup job than a routine maintenance task.
3. Shaping an Overgrown Hedge or Screen
Sometimes an arborvitae hedge grows unevenly, with one tree shooting up much taller than its neighbors.
To keep the row uniform, you can trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae so they all match in height.
This is one of the few times where topping an arborvitae makes aesthetic sense.
But even then, you should only remove a few inches of growth per season.
The Risks of Trimming the Top of Emerald Green Arborvitae
Before you grab your pruners, it’s important to understand why trimming the top of emerald green arborvitae can backfire.
Here are the main risks involved with cutting the tops off these evergreens.
1. No Regrowth from Old Wood
Emerald green arborvitae do not have dormant buds on their interior or older wood.
When you trim the top of emerald green arborvitae, the only place new growth will appear is along the green, outermost foliage.
If you cut deep into the brown, leafless center, that spot will stay bare forever.
That’s why you can trim the top of emerald green arborvitae only where there is still green needles left.
2. Permanent Loss of the Natural Pyramidal Shape
A healthy emerald green arborvitae has a classic, tapered silhouette that narrows at the top.
When you trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae and remove the central leader, the tree will often develop multiple competing shoots.
These new shoots grow outward instead of upward, creating a wider, flatter, or even deformed shape.
Once the natural form is lost, it’s nearly impossible to restore.
3. Increased Risk of Sunburn and Browning
The dense foliage of an arborvitae protects the interior from harsh sun and wind.
When you trim the top of emerald green arborvitae, you open up the inner branches to direct sunlight.
This sudden exposure can cause the needles to scorch, turn brown, and drop off.
The browning is often permanent and can make the plant look unsightly for years.
How to Safely Prune the Top of Emerald Green Arborvitae
If you still need to trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae, doing it the right way minimizes damage.
Follow these guidelines when cutting the top of emerald green arborvitae.
1. Prune Only in Late Winter or Early Spring
The best time to trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae is in late winter, just before new growth starts.
Pruning at this timing gives the tree the entire growing season to recover.
Avoid trimming the top of emerald green arborvitae in late summer or fall because new cuts won’t heal before winter.
Winter damage can turn a pruning wound into a big brown patch.
2. Cut Only Into Green, Living Foliage
Always locate the green outer layer before you make any cuts.
You can trim the top of emerald green arborvitae only within the section that still has active needles.
Make your cut just above a healthy side branch or a cluster of green shoots.
Never cut back into the brown, woody interior because those spots will never green up again.
3. Limit the Amount of Height Removed
As a general rule, remove no more than 10 to 15 percent of the total height in a single season.
If you want to trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae by a foot or more, spread the job out over two or three years.
Cutting too much height at once shocks the tree and greatly increases the chances of browning or dieback.
Gradual reductions keep the plant healthier and looking more natural.
4. Use Sharp, Clean Bypass Pruners
Dull tools crush the stems instead of making clean cuts.
Crushed cuts heal slowly and invite disease.
When you trim the top of emerald green arborvitae, always use sharp bypass pruners or a pruning saw.
Wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol between trees to prevent spreading any potential infection.
So, Can You Trim the Tops of Emerald Green Arborvitae?
You can trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae, but only under the right circumstances and with careful technique.
If you cut only into green foliage, limit the amount removed, and prune at the correct time of year, trimming the top of emerald green arborvitae can be done without killing the plant.
However, you should never trim the tops of emerald green arborvitae purely for height reduction if you want to maintain the natural pyramid shape.
Consider alternatives like planting a shorter variety or moving the arborvitae to a spot where full height is acceptable.
We hope this post helps you decide whether trimming the top of emerald green arborvitae is the right move for your landscape.