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A cedar hedge has the advantage of being an excellent privacy screen that stays green all year round.

But as with any shrub, it should be taken care of if you do not want it to turn into a jungle ...

And given their very strong growth, thuja are no exception to the rule. They can very quickly gain a lot of height and width ...

So you want to know all the tips to take good care of your hedges? Find out when and how to prune a cedar hedge :

1. When to prune your cedar trees?

First little-known tip that you should know: prefer to prune your thuja at the end of the day or when the sky is overcast.

Your conifers already face the aggressions of the sun and heat all summer long, no need to make them even more fragile after cutting!

You may see your hedges turn yellow, as cutting wounds dry out faster in the sun.

Then, try to respect the cut of thuja over 2 precise periods: in May and from mid-August to the end of September.

You can make a few light cuts outside of these times, but only if it isn't freezing.

Finally, something to know if you have just planted young cedar plants: the earlier you prune them, the denser the center of the hedge.

This way, they don't get too thick (around 40cm) and are easier to trim.

2. What is the best tool for pruning them?

The branches of thuja have the advantage of being quite thin.

This allows them to be cut either with a mechanical hedge trimmer or manually with a shear.

But of course, cutting them with a motorized device is much less tedious and above all much faster.

Prefer also to have a machine with a long blade to avoid making holes in the cedars when cutting.

Regarding the upper part of the hedge, it is undoubtedly the most difficult part to prune.

We are often in bad balance and the arms remain suspended which accelerates fatigue and can generate risks.

So adopt a pole hedge trimmer to make your life easier and cut the top of hedges safely.

And for even more safety, do not hesitate to use garden scaffolding. It is very practical and very suitable.

3. How to prune your cedar trees?

Because it's probably easier like that, we have the bad habit of pruning thuja vertically.

Result, it gives a uniform cut from the base to the top.

However, know that to obtain very dense thuja with a beautiful green color, it is better to cut them at an angle.

In other words, the top of the hedge should be narrower than its base.

This cutting technique allows the branches at the base of the thuja to receive more sun and water.

Your conifer is therefore stronger and more bushy from the base to the top.

A little extra tip: water your hedges copiously a few days before cutting.

This allows cut branches to grow back better (because they regenerate faster) and quickly regain dense foliage.

4. What to do with pruning waste?

Once the hedges have been trimmed, we end up with a ton of waste!

Instead of picking them up to throw the twigs in the compost or collecting vegetable waste ...

... well, know that they can be better employed! How? 'Or' What ?

Simply place them at the foot of your cedar trees. Why ?

Because, after decomposition, they create a plant bed retaining the moisture necessary for the development of your shrubs.

Convenient and environmentally friendly, isn't it?

Your turn...

Have you tried our tips for pruning your cedar trees? Tell us in the comments if it worked for you. We can't wait to hear from you!

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