Thuja is not only a popular plant for the hedge. Even as a single tree in the garden or as a plant for a bucket, the tree of life provides real highlights in the garden. Since thuja is very tolerant of pruning, you can cut it wonderfully into shape.

Thujas are often cut into a spherical shape

Cut thuja into shape

Thuja can be cut into almost any desired shape. All you need is good tools, a sense of proportion and some manual dexterity. Particularly popular forms of thuja are:

  • standard
  • cone
  • Bullet
  • spiral

If you have little experience with the topiary of trees, it is better to have the basic cut done by a gardener. Then you only need to trim regularly later.

You can make suitable templates out of cardboard or wire. You can also buy them in the garden store.

When is the tree of life cut into shape?

While you only have to cut thuja in the hedge once or twice a year, depending on your age, the topiary should be done more frequently. It has proven useful to carry out the first cut in April, the second cut at the end of June and a third cut at the end of August.

Cut the tree of life on a cloudy but rain-free day. The sap that comes out when cutting turns the needles brown. If moisture penetrates the interfaces, fungal spores can nest and trigger the dreaded dieback.

Use clean tools!

Only use sharp, clean tools. If the shoots tear when cut, they allow fungi to enter. You can transmit diseases and pests with unclean tools.

Cut thuja as a standard

Thuja as a standard can occasionally be found in gardens. It has to be said that the tree of life is not the ideal tree for standard trees. It looks very ugly from below when it turns brown on the inside.

If you still want to cut a high trunk, simply remove the lower branches directly on the trunk. Thuja does not sprout again there.

Thuja in cone shape

Thuja as a cone is a popular cut shape. Start at the top. Tie a rope there that reaches down to the ground and weigh it down with a piece of wood. You can then thread the rope around the bottom of the tree and cut along the ribbon. This will make the cone shape nice and even.

Tree of life as a sphere

For a tree of life in the shape of a sphere, you need a template made of wire or paper, which you slide over the crown.

Cut the thuja into a spiral shape

Start by cutting the tree of life into a cone. Make a wire template and place it over the tree of life. How big the distances of the spiral should be is a matter of taste. To finish, make a point or cut a small ball.

tips

Thuja is poisonous! The escaping plant sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive people. Therefore, always cut with gloves and long-sleeved clothing.

Category:

Trees