Thuja is not just a popular plant for hedges. The tree of life also creates real highlights in the garden as a single tree in the garden or as a plant for a pot. Since Thuja is very easy to cut, you can cut it wonderfully into shape.
How to cut a thuja into shape?
To cut a thuja into shape, you need sharp tools and, if necessary, a template. Cutting shapes such as standard stems, cones, balls or spirals are possible. Topiary pruning should be done three times a year: in April, the end of June and the end of August.
Cut thuja into shape
Thuja can be cut into almost any shape you want. All you need is good tools (€14.00 on Amazon), a sense of proportion and some manual skills. Particularly popular forms of thuja are:
- High trunk
- Cones
- Ball
- Spiral
If you have little experience with topiary pruning of trees, it is better to have the basic pruning carried out by a gardener. Then you just need to trim regularly later.
You can make suitable stencils out of cardboard or wire. You can also buy them at gardening stores.
When will the tree of life be cut into shape?
While you only have to cut thuja in the hedge once or twice a year depending on its age, topiary needs to be done more often. 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 released when cutting turns the needles brown. If moisture penetrates the interfaces, fungal spores can settle in, causing the dreaded shoot death.
Use clean tools
Only use sharp, clean tools. If the shoots tear when cut, they provide an entrance for fungi. You can transmit diseases and pests with unclean tools.
Cut thuja as a standard tree
Thuja as a standard stem can occasionally be found in gardens. It should 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 inside.
If you still want to cut a standard tree, simply remove the lower branches directly on the trunk. Thuja will not sprout there again.
Thuja in cone shape
Thuja as a cone is a popular cut shape. Start at the top. Tie a rope there that reaches to the ground and weigh it down with a piece of wood. You can then loop the rope around the bottom of the tree and cut along the ribbon. This makes the cone shape nice and even.
Tree of life as a ball
For a tree of life in the shape of a ball, you need a template made of wire or paper that you slide over the crown.
Cut thuja into 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 large the spacing of the spiral should be is a question of taste. Finally, create a point or cut a small ball.
Tip
Thuja is poisonous! The escaping plant sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive people. Therefore, always cut with gloves and long-sleeved clothing.
