Planting thuja as a hedge was considered outdated for a long time. Only in recent years has a renaissance of this robust hedge plant been observed. Arborvitae hedges are resilient and easy to care for. This is how you plant a thuja hedge correctly. A guide:
How do I plant a thuja hedge correctly?
To properly plant a thuja hedge, you should choose a sunny to partially shaded location, use humus-rich substrate, plant in spring or late summer and maintain a planting distance of 40-45 cm. Regular watering and, if necessary, a windbreak are important in the initial phase.
Which location is suitable for Thuja?
Sunny to partially shaded locations are ideal. The tree of life grows very poorly in shaded areas. At first it doesn't tolerate too much wind particularly well.
Choose the location carefully. Once the thuja hedge has grown, it is very difficult to remove it again. Transplanting is only possible with very young trees.
If you are not sure whether the location is really good, first plant the Thuja in pots. You can move these later as needed.
What should the substrate be like?
The soil should be neither too sandy nor too acidic. The substrate is slightly humus, improved with peat and compost.
When is the best time to plant?
The best time to plant the tree of life is in spring in March and April. Even in late summer, you can still plant thuja from August to September. You should not replant the tree later as the roots will not have enough time to develop.
What planting distance should be maintained?
A distance of approx. 40 to 45 cm is recommended as a planting distance. With this distance you can reach a dense hedge relatively quickly. So you need two to three arborvitae per meter of hedge.
If the thuja seedlings are planted closer together, they cannot develop properly. However, the gaps close very quickly, so you will soon have a dense hedge.
How do you prepare the planting site?
Loosen the soil thoroughly and remove thickenings and stones. Mix mature compost (€43.00 at Amazon) and/or horn shavings into the potting soil. Then you save yourself from having to fertilize frequently later.
Dig a planting trench that is approximately twice as wide and deep as the thuja's root ball. In general, the planting holes must be around 40 to 50 cm deep.
What should you consider when creating a hedge?
Stake out the hedge line well beforehand. This is the only way you can calculate how many plants you will need.
How do you plant thuja correctly?
First you need to water the root balls well. Submerge them in buckets of water until no more air bubbles appear. Loosen the root ball a little. If necessary, first remove the wrapping that the plant came with.
Place the tree of life in the planting trench so that it stands as straight as possible. Fill in the soil and gently tamp it down. You then need to water the tree well, even if the ground is still wet from the rain.
In windy locations, you should initially put up a windbreak. It is beneficial if you spread a layer of bark mulch under the thuja hedge. Garden waste such as leaves, grass clippings or straw can also be used as mulching material. The cover prevents the soil from drying out and provides the plants with nutrients.
What should you pay attention to after planting?
Especially in the beginning, the soil must never dry out completely. This would cause the roots to dry out and the tree of life to collapse. Therefore, water regularly, but make sure that there is no waterlogging.
Can thuja be transplanted later?
Transplanting thuja is very time-consuming because the root system is very developed and can often only be removed from the ground with heavy equipment.
When does the tree of life bloom?
The flowering period lasts from April to May. The flowers are rather inconspicuous.
When do the fruits ripen?
The fruits are ripe in September / October. Caution: They are particularly poisonous and must not be left in the hands of children.
How is the tree of life propagated?
Theoretically, thuja can be propagated from seeds. Propagation is easier and quicker using cuttings. So-called cracklings are used for this, small side shoots that you tear off the main branch. They root faster than cut cuttings.
Prepare nursery pots. Remove the lower leaf scales and insert the cracklings into the soil. Moisten them well without getting the substrate too wet.
A hood prevents the cuttings from drying out later. Rooting usually takes place after just four to six weeks.
How hardy is Thuja?
The tree of life is completely hardy. There are varieties that can tolerate temperatures down to minus 25 degrees and more. Winter protection is therefore not necessary. You only need to water a thuja hedge when it is very dry in winter. Watering takes place on frost-free days.
Tip
Thuja likes rainwater best. If possible, you should collect the water for this and water it in dry times. Therefore, do not plant Thuja under trees that keep out rainwater.