What Are Arborvitae?
Arborvitae are popular evergreen shrubs that can add year-round charm to your yard. These cone-shaped plants are an interesting choice for Utah’s climate. For the gardener willing to put in the work, you’ll love how easy they are to care for once established.
PRO GARDENER TIP:
- Arborvitae do well in parts of Northern Utah that have culinary water with sandy or loamy soil
- Arborvitae will not do well in areas with heavy clay soil or that use heavily alkaline secondary water. If either of the latter conditions exist in your yard, we recommend looking at Junipers or Cedars instead.
If you are in an area with culinary water and soil that has good drainage, you can have great success with Arborvitae. They come in various sizes, from small shrubs to tall trees. They’re great for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or as focal points in your landscape. Arborvitae have soft, flexible foliage that feels pleasant to touch and stays green all year.
Here’s why you might want to add arborvitae to your garden:
- Excellent for privacy and windbreaks • Attractive, year-round greenery • Lush, luxuriant foliage
With some extra care during summer and winter months, your arborvitae can thrive in some parts of Northern Utah. . These hardy plants can live for many years, providing beauty and privacy to your yard for decades to come.
How to Plant Your Arborvitae
Your Arborvitae should have arrived with planting instructions. If not, no fear, keep reading for a step-by-step guide to planting arborvitae
First, pick a sunny spot with good soil drainage. Many types of Arborvitae require at least 3-4 hours of sunlight to do well in your garden, though some varieties will need at least 6 hours for lush foliage and for proper growth rates. .
When you have the perfect spot ready, dig a hole that’s 2 times wider than the root ball. Make it just as deep as the root ball. You will want the root flare to be slightly higher, meaning 2-3 inches higher, than the soil line of your garden when planted.
PRO GARDENER TIP: Arborvitae root flares sometimes have excess soil over them when transported from growers to nurseries. We strongly encourage pulling any soil away from the trunk to expose the top portion of the root flare in order to determine the correct planting depth.
Before you put your tree in the ground, give the root ball a good soak which helps reduce the risk of transplant shock. ..
Next, gently place your arborvitae in the hole, do not bounce or drop the root ball as this could break it, causing significant and irreparable damage. After placing the root ball into the hole, check to ensure the top of the root ball is level with, or slightly higher than, the surrounding soil line..
Now for the fun part – filling in the hole! Use the soil you dug out earlier and add in some Gardner & Bloome Acid Planting Mix as a soil amendment. Use 70% of the native (original) soil and 30% of the amendment for the backfill soil.
Place your hose end in the hole, near the bottom, with the water running gently. Let the water run as you backfill the hole, . this process of “flooding” as the hole gets filled in will eliminate air pockets that could cause the plant to settle in an uneven manner.
If the Arborvitae starts to lean to one side or another while the water is settling the soil, carefully correct the lean by placing a shovel under the rootball to lift up one side and gently push some soil under that area to realign the plant. This process should be repeated until the Arborvitae is perfectly upright and centered…
Here’s a quick checklist for planting:
- Choose a mostly sunny spot
- Dig a wide, shallow hole
- Soak the root ball
- Place the tree in the hole
- Backfill with soil while letting the water run to settle any potential air pockets.
After planting, give your new arborvitae a deep drink. This helps with the final settling of loose soil, removing excess air pockets while also giving the roots a some nice moisture to prevent shock. For the next few weeks, keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Watering Arborvitae
Arborvitae Water Requirements
Arborvitae trees need the right amount of water to stay healthy. Arborvitae are not drought tolerant plants and they do need consistent watering.
Sprinkler water will NOT provide enough water for these shrubs.
If you have drip irrigation, they will need to be on a line separate from low-water use plants. When temperatures are above 70°F:
- First growing season / newly planted: they will need to be deep soaked every other day.
- Second growing season: they will need to be deep soaked every 2-3 days, more when it is in the heat of summer.
- Third and more growing season: water every 3-4 days, err on the side of more water when it is extremely hot in summer.
These evergreens like moist soil but can’t stand having wet feet (meaning they do not like to sit in puddles of water). Your arborvitae’s water needs change with the seasons and as it grows.
How Often to Water Arborvitae
The frequency of watering depends on several factors, including:
- Tree size
- Soil type
- Weather
- Season
New trees need more water than established ones. Check the soil every few days and water when the top 2-3 inches feel dry. Or, you can use a moisture meter to check the soil 6-8 inches down to see how long the soil is holding water for the roots of your new plants.
How to Water Your Arborvitae
Believe it or not there is a “right” way to water your Arborvitae! These plants are a little fussy when it comes to their watering needs. Because of this you will want to hand water, use a soaker hose or have a dedicated drip line on your irrigation system to properly water these plants.
PRO GARDENER TIP: You need to deep soak each individual shrub slowly with a hose/soaker hose until ponding occurs. Not allowing the water to slowly seep down to the roots of the plant can create a shallow root system for your Arborvitae which can lead to disease and distress.
Place the soaker hose or hose around the base of your tree. Set a timer for 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your tree’s size and age. This should be done every 1-2 days in the first year, 2-3 times per week in the second year, and once per week in the third year. When temperatures start to cool: Begin to reduce watering frequency.
Avoid watering these trees from above. The wet foliage can lead to a variety of foliar diseases.
- Water slowly and deeply
- Use a soaker hose or hose
- Water at the base of the tree to saturate the roots
- Avoid getting the foliage wet from overhead sprinkler systems.
How to Tell if Arborvitae is Getting Enough Water
Your arborvitae will tell you if it’s getting enough water:
- Leaves look green and perky
- Soil feels moist but not soggy
- New growth appears regularly
If the needles start to look dull and are turning brown and /or crunchy, your Arborvitae likely needs more water.
Can You Overwater Arborvitae?
Yes, you can overwater your arborvitae. Signs of overwatering include:
- Yellowing leaves
- Soft, mushy roots
- Standing water around the tree
To avoid this, make sure your soil drains well and doesn’t water if the ground is still wet from rain or previous watering. It is best to check your soil 6-8 below soil level if you aren’t sure. Too much water can lead to root rot, so best to check if you aren’t sure.
Arborvitae Care Tips
Fertilizing Arborvitae
Arborvitae trees need different types of fertilizer depending on how established the root system is.
- When first planted, or during the first growing season, we recommend using Fertilome Root Stimulator
- In the second growing season, use Fertilome Acid Loving Plant Food.
- In the third season (and beyond), use Fertilome Tree and Shrub Food, or any balanced all-purpose fertilizer with an acidifier product like sulfur, gypsum, etc.
Don’t overdo it – a little goes a long way! Be sure to read the directions on the product as every product has different amounts recommended for Arborvitae use. With the liquids, mix them in water before applying. For the granular types, spread it evenly over the root area and water it in well. This will help your tree stay green and healthy.
Pruning Arborvitae
In general, Arborvitae do not need much pruning. But, if you have damaged branches that need to be removed or want to do a little shaping for aesthetic purposes, you can.
For heavy pruning, the best time would be very late in winter, January or early February when the plant is dormant. This will reduce the shock to the plant and when it starts to grow again in spring, will not have to divert energy from new growth to recovery of fresh cuts.
For minor pruning or light trimming, you can do this any time of year though we do recommend avoiding it during the hot summer months.
Pruning keeps your arborvitae looking neat. Here’s how to do it:
- Trim in late winter or early spring before new growth starts
- Use clean, sharp tools to avoid damaging the tree
- Cut back any dead or yellow branches
- Shape gently – don’t remove more than 1/3 of the growth
Heavy pruning should only be done before the shrubs break dormancy in late winter or very early spring. Dead branches can be taken out at any time.
Remember, arborvitae grow slowly. You don’t need to prune often. A light trim every few years is usually enough to keep your tree looking great.
Arborvitae Winter Care & Watering
Apply an Anti-Transpirant
You can help your arborvitae stay healthy in winter. In late November or early December, apply an anti-tra
nspirant (i.e. Wilt Pruf) to help protect Arborvitae from winter cold/dry damage. This slows down water from leaving the plant via the needles too fast. It’s like giving your plant a winter coat!
Wrap the Arborvitae
When it’s very cold, before the first heavy snowfall, you can wrap your arborvitae. Use 2” or 4” burlap to hold branches upright and prevent damage from snow load. While Arborvitae are perfectly fine with the cold, if there is a heavy snow storm, the accumulation on the branches can be quite heavy and the burlap wrap offers enough support to prevent the branches from being weighed down and breaking.
How Do You Water Arborvitae in the Winter?
Your arborvitae need water, even when it’s cold, normal snowfall is not enough moisture to keep them alive. Apply at least 1/2 gallon of water per foot of shrub height every other week. For example, a 6-foot shrub needs 3 or more gallons of water per watering through the winter. This should be done every other week for new plantings (planted for less than3 years) and once a month for established plants (have been in the ground for over 3 years)
Is It Normal for Arborvitae to Turn Brown in Winter?
If your Arborvitae turn brown during the winter, it is due to “winter burn” which happens when the transpiration process is happening too fast due to cold winds and lack of water in the soil. By following the watering guidelines and applying the Wilt Pruf, or other anti-transpirant, your plant will have less chance of getting winter burn. However, if it does happen, your plant can recover though you will need to do some light pruning of the areas that were affected. Wait until the new growth comes out in spring, and then carefully prune out the areas that did not have new growth appear.
Remember, taking care of your arborvitae in winter isn’t hard. With a little love, your plant will be happy and healthy all year round!
Common Questions About Arborvitae Care
How much water do new arborvitae need?
New arborvitae trees need plenty of water to get established. Water them deeply 1-2 times per week when temps are below 70 degrees and then 2-3 times per week for the first growing season when temps are over 70 degrees. Make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy.
PRO GARDENING TIP: Check your soil 24 hours after watering to see how quickly your soil drains. Dig down just outside the rootball, about 6-8 inches, and see how wet the soil is. Grab a handful of soil, give it a squeeze. If water runs out between your fingers, the soil needs to drain more. If no water runs out, open your hand and see if the soil holds its shape or falls apart. If it holds its shape, you have the right amount of moisture in your soil and can wait one more day before watering. If the soil falls apart, you have soil that doesn’t hold water for very long and you will need to water again.
What’s the best way to use a soaker hose for arborvitae?
A soaker hose is great for watering arborvitae. Place it around the base of the tree and let it run for 30-60 minutes. This gives the roots a nice deep soak. The exact time depends on how many gallons of water the hose puts out per hour, as well as your soil type and also the size of your tree. Sandy soil needs more time, clay soil less time
What care do arborvitae need after planting?
Your new arborvitae needs some TLC to thrive:
- Water deeply and often
- Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base
- Protect from deer with fencing if needed
- Use only root starter or an acidifying soil fertilizer for the first two years (see above)
- Prune lightly to shape, if desired
How should I water arborvitae in different seasons?
Different watering rules apply for new and established arborvitae.
For new plantings, be sure to follow the guidance given above so the roots of will have enough moisture to support the branches while the plant establishes.
Once the root system is established, which takes about 2 growing seasons, your established arborvitae’s water needs change with the seasons:
- Spring: Water weekly as new growth starts
- Summer: Water deeply twice a week in hot weather, when temps get over 100 degrees, water three times per week.
- Fall: Reduce watering to once a week as temperatures cool
- Winter: Water monthly. Use the major holidays as an easy way to remember it is time to water.
Once you know how quickly your soil drains water, it is easier to know how often to water. But, if you aren’t sure, check the soil before watering. Overly wet soil can cause root rot, so it is good to check about 6 inches down outside the root ball if you aren’t sure.
Arborvitae are a popular choice in Utah. With the right start in the right location, along with proper watering, these plants will beautify and privatize your garden for years to come. Stop by Glover Nursery to see the wide variety of Arborvitae that we offer for Utah gardens.
