The Thuja is not only a real eye-catcher as a hedge, it also looks good when cut into shape. Spirals, spheres and cones are very popular.
The thuja does not necessarily have to be cut regularly. In order to stimulate the growth of the plants and to create an attractive eye-catcher, however, topiary is indispensable. Pruning hedges promotes uniform growth. The eyes are shortened by a third of the new wood.
Thujen are very easy to shape. The most popular shapes include the sphere, cone and pyramid.
Cutting thujen - yes or no?
Pruning is not a must, but will encourage growth and the appearance of the plants. If the plants grow densely and develop their natural growth form, no extensive pruning measures are necessary. An annual topiary is perfectly sufficient. The new shoots are shortened in order to preserve the natural growth form. This can be round, oval or pyramid-shaped.
» Tip: If young plants are not pruned for the first two years, this has a positive effect on root formation.
In order to obtain an even hedge or to cut the thuja into shape, scissors should be used up to three times a year. This promotes dense and compact growth.
Cutting Thuja - what is possible?
Thujen are very suitable for a topiary and numerous decorative elements are possible. If thujas are planted as a hedge, a trapezoidal shape is usually sought. The hedges therefore appear somewhat wider in the lower area and taper towards the top. This has the advantage that not too much snow collects on the hedge in winter and causes the branches to break. Furthermore, a lighter hedge crown is more translucent, which contributes to a compact growth of the plant.
The spherical or conical shape are classic topiary and very common in thujas in gardens or parks. If you want to face a small challenge, try a pyramid or a spiral. It has to beno one rely solely on their sense of proportion. Stencils and patterns provide assistance.
When should the topiary be done?
Shape cuts can be made several times a year. The thuja can be pruned between April and September. Anyone who only wants to trim their hedge once a year. best do this at the end of June.
The following periods are suitable for shaping decorative elements:
- mid April
- end of June
- end of August
Pruning should be avoided from September onwards so that the new shoots can mature before winter and no frost damage occurs.
The cut compatibility
Thujen generally do not mind a pruning or topiary and are easy to cut. However, there are still a few things to consider. Liquid escapes at the interfaces. Pruning in full sun can quickly turn the leaves brown. It should always be pruned in dry weather. If the leaves are wet, this can promote the development of diseases spread by waterborne spores.
The right tool for topiary
Hedge trimmers are usually used to trim hedges. The shape cut requires precise work and is preferably carried out with manual tools. Ambidextrous scissors have proven their worth.
Other tools can be used:
- Pruning shears
- Battery saw or Japanese saw
- Hedge Shears
- Hand Cutter
Every cut means stress for your plants. In order to keep cut injuries as low as possible, the blades should always be sharp. Dirty blades can allow germs to get into the cut. It is therefore advisable to clean the garden tools thoroughly after use.
| Garden Tool | Advantages and disadvantages |
|---|---|
| electric hedge trimmer | Electric hedge trimmers have a virtually unlimited useful life. However, a power connection must be within reach. The cable can be perceived as annoying when cutting and hinder the work. |
| manual hedge trimmer | The manual hedge trimmer is the better choice for the firm cut because you can work more precisely. Two-handed scissors have proven their worth here. |
| Battery hedge trimmer | The cordless hedge trimmer does not cause a tangled cable and is light and handy. sheis well suited for younger Thuja hedges. With topiary, however, there is also the danger of unintentionally cutting too much or in the wrong place, thereby jeopardizing the exact topiary due to gaps and thinning. |
| Gasoline Hedge Trimmer | Gasoline hedge trimmers are a good choice for sprawling and mature hedges. These heavy and unwieldy devices are completely unsuitable for shaping decorative elements. |
| Secateurs | Pruning shears are taboo for trimming hedges. It would just be too time consuming to trim each branch individually and manually. When it comes to shaping, on the other hand, garden shears can do a good job. The shape is easy to work out and corrections are easy to make. |
Wire as a tool for shaping
Wire has proven to be a useful tool for shaping the thuja. Templates for the shape cut can be made from craft wire without much effort. This is particularly easy to do with spherical or conical shapes. Wire can also be used to hold individual branches in place to help create the desired shape.
Most Popular Shapes
Some shapes have proven particularly effective in Thuja topiary.
The thuja as a cone
The conic section is easy to implement, even for beginners. First, a stick is placed in the middle of the ground. A cord is then stretched to which a piece of wood is attached. A circle is now drawn on the floor. Strings are stretched within this radius. The template gets roughly the shape of an Advent wreath. Now cut along these borders.
» Tip: For the cone shape, cut from the tip.
The thuja as a ball
Balls are particularly easy to cut. Stencils are easy to make yourself from cardboard or wire. Wire templates can be placed completely over the plant. Overlapping branches are simply trimmed. Cardboard templates are moved around the plant. Branches protruding from the circle are removed with the pruning saw.
The Thuja as a spiral
This topiary will be a bit more complex. The cone shape of the thuja offers the best prerequisite for a successful spiral. So it makes sense to first develop a cone, as written, and then work out the spiral shape. A wire template makes the job easier. Form a spiral and put it over the plant before youstart cutting. The distances can be chosen arbitrarily. The end can be designed as a point or ball. If the ball shape is desired, simply make a separate template and design the ball at the end of the topiary.
How to cut?
Old or dry branches are trimmed with the hedge trimmer. The cut is made on the he althy wood. Crossing or overlapping branches should be removed as these can impede air circulation. Fungal diseases can develop on dead branches and twigs. These branches are to be shortened generously. If these necessary pruning measures create gaps that affect the appearance of the plant, branches can be pulled into the gap with the help of wire to fill the gaps.
Pruning Thuja in case of disease or pest infestation
Thujen can be attacked by a number of diseases and pests. These include primarily:
- Mushrooms
- spider mites
- Mildew
- Thuja leaf miner
Infected parts of the plant should be cut out generously. The first cut can be made after the last frosts. Most affected parts of the plant already show brown discoloration. Another cut should be made in summer to be on the safe side.
» Caution: Cut off plant parts do not belong in the compost.
What is particularly important?
The different thuja varieties show different growth rates. So the frequency of cuts will vary. The Thuja Brabant, for example, is particularly easy to grow and will quickly grow into the desired ball or pyramid. When trimming a hedge, it should be noted that the compact hedges are often chosen by birds as a shelter. Therefore, check the hedge before cutting. When birds are breeding, hedge trimming is deferred until the breeding season is over.
Thujen topiary - advantages and disadvantages
✔ Attractive appearance
✔ Creative hobby
✔ Various design options
✔ Decorative elements enliven the garden design
✖ Time required
✖ Regular topiary necessary
✖ Tools are required
✖ Skill and perseverance required