Thuja can occasionally be found in gardens or containers as a standard tree. Maintaining it as a standard tree is not really recommended. There are other trees that are much better suited to this form than the tree of life. How do you snow a thuja as a standard tree?
How do you cut a thuja as a standard tree?
To cut a thuja as a standard tree, remove all side branches up to the desired height directly on the trunk and cut the crown into a cone or ball shape. Protect your hands and face as Thuja is poisonous and the plant sap can cause skin irritation.
Thuja not necessarily recommended as a standard stem
Thuja is usually grown as an opaque hedge for a reason. It is almost never desirable that it be cut to a tall stem.
It is only recommended to cut the tree of life as a standard tree when caring for it as a solitary plant in the garden or in a pot.
However, it is very easy to see when the thuja is completely brown inside. It's not a pretty sight, but you can mitigate it somewhat by planting the ground.
This is how the tree of life is cut as a standard tree
- Cut side branches directly on the trunk
- Cut the crown into shape
- cut once or twice per year
Thuja is cut both as a standard tree and as a hedge. A single cut per year is usually sufficient.
Remove all side branches to the desired height. If you cut right up to the old wood, then the thuja will not sprout there again. Further cutting back on the standard trunk is usually not necessary. If additional side branches sprout, simply cut them off.
Cut crown as a cone or ball
To make the tree of life look a little more decorative, you should cut the crown into shape. The cone shape or the spherical shape are ideal.
Make a template out of cardboard or wire for the desired shape. You can also get molding templates in garden centers.
Protect hands and face
Thuja is poisonous and should only be cut with gloves and long-sleeved clothing. The tree of life is only really dangerous if you eat parts of it. However, the sap released during cutting can cause skin irritation if it gets on bare skin.
You can chop up the cuttings (with a face mask!) and dispose of them in the compost. This type of disposal does not pose any danger.
Tip
Use sharp tools when cutting the thuja so that the branches do not tear. This can cause fungal diseases to spread. The tool should also be cleaned well before and after use to prevent the transmission of diseases.