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You can make arborvitae grow fast by focusing on the right planting spot, consistent watering, and proper feeding.
If you’ve been wondering how to make arborvitae grow fast, the answer lies in giving them what they naturally crave.
These evergreens can push out several feet of new growth each year when conditions are ideal.
How to make arborvitae grow fast really comes down to mimicking their native woodland environment.
In this guide I’ll walk you through the exact steps to accelerate their growth rate.
Let’s dive into the methods that will make your arborvitae thrive.
How to Make Arborvitae Grow Fast Through Proper Planting
The foundation for fast growth starts the moment you put the tree in the ground.
How to make arborvitae grow fast begins with choosing the right location and preparing the soil properly.
If you skip these early steps, the rest of your efforts will only go so far.
Here are the key planting factors that drive fast growth.
1. Pick a Sunny Spot for Maximum Energy
Arborvitae need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
How to make arborvitae grow fast starts with sunlight because photosynthesis fuels new shoots.
Partial shade will slow growth and make the foliage thinner.
A south‑facing location with no overhead obstructions is ideal.
When you give them full sun, they reward you with dense, rapid upward growth.
2. Prepare Rich, Well‑Draining Soil
Arborvitae prefer loamy soil that drains well but holds some moisture.
How to make arborvitae grow fast involves amending heavy clay or sandy soil with organic matter.
Mix in compost or aged manure before planting to create a fertile root zone.
Test the pH and aim for a slightly acidic range between 6.0 and 7.0.
Good soil structure lets roots spread quickly and take up nutrients efficiently.
3. Dig a Wide, Not Too Deep, Hole
The root ball should sit level with the surrounding ground or just slightly above.
How to make arborvitae grow fast means never burying the trunk below soil level.
Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Wide holes encourage roots to expand outward instead of circling.
Backfill with native soil mixed with compost for a smooth transition.
How to Make Arborvitae Grow Fast With Consistent Watering Habits
Water is the single most important factor for pushing new growth.
How to make arborvitae grow fast requires keeping the soil evenly moist, especially during the first two years.
Established trees still need deep watering during dry spells.
Follow these watering guidelines to keep them growing rapidly.
1. Water Deeply and Infrequently
Shallow sprinkling encourages surface roots that dry out quickly.
How to make arborvitae grow fast calls for soaking the soil to a depth of 12 inches each time.
Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to deliver water slowly at the root zone.
Aim for one deep watering per week, and twice a week during extreme heat.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry before the next watering to prevent rot.
2. Mulch to Retain Moisture and Cool Roots
Apply a three‑inch layer of organic mulch like shredded bark or wood chips.
How to make arborvitae grow fast includes mulching because it reduces water evaporation.
Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid bark rot.
Mulch also moderates soil temperature, keeping roots active longer in fall.
Refresh the mulch layer each spring to maintain its benefit.
3. Watch for Signs of Under‑ or Over‑Watering
Yellowing lower branches often mean too much water, while browning tips can indicate drought stress.
How to make arborvitae grow fast means adjusting your schedule if you see either symptom.
Stick your finger into the soil to check moisture before you turn on the hose.
A moisture meter takes the guesswork out of watering decisions.
Consistent, even moisture is the secret to rapid vertical growth.
How to Make Arborvitae Grow Fast With the Right Fertilizer Program
Feeding your arborvitae gives them the nutrients they need to shoot upward.
How to make arborvitae grow fast involves using a balanced, slow‑release fertilizer formulated for evergreens.
Apply it at the right time and in the right amount to avoid burning roots.
Here’s a simple fertilization plan that works.
1. Apply a 10‑10‑10 or 12‑6‑6 Fertilizer in Early Spring
Choose a granular product that releases nutrients over several months.
How to make arborvitae grow fast requires feeding just as new growth begins in spring.
Scatter the fertilizer evenly around the drip line, not against the trunk.
Water it in thoroughly to carry nutrients down to the root zone.
A second light feeding in early summer can boost the growth spurt.
2. Don’t Over‑Fertilize or Use High‑Nitrogen Formulas Late in the Season
Too much nitrogen can produce weak, leggy growth that snaps in wind.
How to make arborvitae grow fast safely means stopping all fertilizer by mid‑summer.
Late‑season feeding encourages tender new shoots that won’t harden before winter.
Stick with a product labeled for evergreens and follow package rates exactly.
Less is often more when it comes to feeding arborvitae.
3. Consider Adding Mycorrhizal Fungi at Planting Time
These beneficial fungi form a symbiotic relationship with arborvitae roots.
How to make arborvitae grow fast can also be helped by inoculating the soil with mycorrhizae.
They increase the root surface area, improving water and nutrient uptake.
You can find powdered or granular mycorrhizal products at garden centers.
Mix it into the planting hole or sprinkle it over the root ball before backfilling.
How to Make Arborvitae Grow Fast With Smart Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning might seem counterintuitive for speed, but done correctly it spurs growth.
How to make arborvitae grow fast includes light trimming that encourages denser branching.
Denser foliage means more photosynthetic surface, which fuels faster upward growth.
Follow these maintenance tips to keep your arborvitae racing.
1. Never Cut Into Old Wood
Arborvitae do not regrow from bare, woody stems.
How to make arborvitae grow fast means only pruning green, flexible growth.
If you cut back into brown, leafless branches, you’ll create permanent bare spots.
Instead, trim just the tips of the candles (the new, bright green shoots) in early summer.
This encourages a bushier habit without stunting height gain.
2. Remove Dead or Diseased Branches Immediately
Diseased branches steal energy and can slow the whole tree.
How to make arborvitae grow fast involves keeping the canopy open and healthy.
Use clean, sharp pruners to snip out any browning or cracking limbs.
Disinfect your tools between cuts if you spot any fungal issues.
A clear canopy lets light reach more of the tree’s foliage.
3. Avoid Shearing Into a Formal Shape
Shearing creates a dense outer shell but shades the interior, reducing overall growth.
How to make arborvitae grow fast naturally works best when you let them keep their pyramidal form.
If you must control height, trim the top leader only by a few inches each year.
Let the lower branches stay untouched to maintain a strong, tapering shape.
Natural forms grow faster than forced geometric shapes.
So, How to Make Arborvitae Grow Fast?
You can make arborvitae grow fast by planting them in full sun with rich soil, watering deeply, feeding in spring, and pruning carefully.
How to make arborvitae grow fast is not a single trick but a combination of consistent care practices.
Give them the right start and they will reward you with impressive vertical growth each season.
Remember to mimic their natural habitat, and you’ll see results within the first growing year.
Happy planting and enjoy watching your arborvitae shoot upward.