How to Prune Western Red Cedar Hedges
The Western red cedar (Thuja plicata), when pruned correctly, provides a thick and full privacy hedge while adding decorative value to your landscaping. Western red cedar hedges require detailed pruning the first three years after planting, but once established, minimal pruning effort is needed. But do have patience: Western red cedar hedges develop slowly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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If starting a hedge from scratch, plant 2 feet apart, staggered, in the spring. Using garden shears, severely trim back almost all growth. Dave Squire, author of "The Pruning Specialist," suggests that if you plant in late summer or early autumn, you should wait until the next year to do the initial pruning to avoid young shoots being damaged by cold winter weather. Wait one season. Use garden shears to cut back half of new growth.
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Prune the more mature Western red cedar hedge by cutting off the top leader with loppers. Using pruning shears, remove half of the new growth from lateral branches to encourage bushiness. New growth should not exceed 1 foot. Do not remove more than half of new growth, as evergreens do not respond well to heavy pruning.
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Prune any time new growth reaches 1 foot. This could mean pruning either annually or semiannually, depending upon your climate and the hedge's rate of growth. Shape the hedge so that it is slightly wider at the bottom than the top. A narrower top and wider base allows necessary sunlight into the foliage, and a rounded or peaked top sloughs off snow accumulation, saving branches from breakage.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid gas or electric pruning shears, as they can rip new growth.
If your Western red cedar hedge is already established but is in poor shape, there isn't much you can do to improve any thin areas or bare bases. Removing the poorly formed hedge and starting over may be your only recourse.
Some people may be allergic to Western red cedar dust.
