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Pruning guide · Tree
Chinese arborvitae: when and how to prune
Platycladus orientalis
Chinese arborvitae is best pruned in May–June.
| Pruning months | May–June |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in May–June |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Chinese arborvitae: when to prune it?
From late May to June, when the young shoots have grown out. At most a second light trim in August.
Chinese arborvitae: how to prune it?
- Cut only the green, young tips of the sprays, for example to keep a ball or hedge in shape.
- Do not prune too late in the season: late shoots freeze easily.
- Cut dead or damaged branches back to the trunk.
- Wear gloves when pruning, because the foliage can irritate the skin.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: May–June.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in May–June can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Never cut into old, brown wood without green scales: it will not sprout from it and bare gaps will remain. Chinese arborvitae is poisonous: wear gloves and keep clippings away from children, pets and livestock.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Chinese arborvitae · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.