8 Proven Methods to Make Arborvitae Grow Faster

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Got an Arborvitae that’s growing slower than molasses in January? Want your tree to hurry up a little with this growing? You’ve come to the right place!

Today, I’ll cover how to make your Arborvitae grow faster using a few proven methods. No more watching and waiting; it’s time for your sleepy shrub to grow bigger and more lush. 

Why Grow Arborvitae?

Many plant owners, including myself, love Arborvitae trees because they tend to make great hedges. The species features thick and dense foliage that can easily be cut into a variety of shapes that are common for fence and hedge lines. 

The dense foliage also creates green areas that are lush and will provide plenty of shade for homes and people.

Typically, Arborvitae plants have the following characteristics:

• They grow to a set width and height, which makes them ideal for landscaping and hedges.
• They are durable and hardy, with some varieties being drought-tolerant.
• They tend to grow quite quickly with minimal to moderate maintenance.

While these characteristics feature across all varieties, not all of them have all three. You’ll find that some are more drought tolerant than others, for example.

How Can You Make Them Grow More Quickly?

If you’re setting up a yard from scratch, it’s always a good idea to have your plants grow as quickly as possible to maturity.

Of course, this is not always possible, but when it comes to Arborvitae trees, there are some things you can do to ensure faster growth, including:

1 – Plant Them at the Right Time of the Year

The fact is that Arborvitae are durable and hardy enough to be planted at any time of year, but you must be aware that there are more optimal weather conditions than others for planting. 

If you plant at the wrong time of year, you’ll just slow down the growth of the trees and this can be frustrating.

One of the worst times to plant Arborvitae is during the high summer heat. A very hot summer will dry out the soil, and planting in these conditions will not result in fast or optimal growth.

Many types of Arborvitae are drought-tolerant, but they will not germinate in dry soil in the heat. I recommend waiting until the hot months of the year are over to start planting.

One thing you can do is plant them in a pot and then keep them in partial shade so that they will at least receive some sun.

Just make sure that you keep the soil moist, but not overwatered.

2 – Plant Them in Acidic Soil

Arborvitae plants thrive best when planted in acidic soil. Many areas feature clay-based soil that is not ideal for this kind of plant.

If you have soil that isn’t acidic enough, you’ll need to prepare it by adding nutrients in the form of fertilizer before planting and growing.

3 – Choose the Right Type of Arborvitae

As mentioned earlier, there are many different types of Arborvitae. Even though they are all relatively hardy and can be planted at any time of the year, some varieties of this plant will grow better and faster than others in certain climates.

This 10-pack of Emerald Green Arborvitae on Amazon is perfect for zones 4 – 8 and grows 10 – 15 feet high by 3 – 4 feet wide. It can grow up to 1 – 2 feet per year!

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something much bigger, the Green Giant Arborvitae from Nature Hills Nursery grows up to 40 – 50 feet tall by 8 – 12 feet wide. The Green Giant is good for zones 5 – 8. It grows quickly too, with a growth rate of 3 – 5 feet per year.

4 – Plant Them Correctly

Arborvitae are often used as hedges to provide shade and protection. The problem is that sometimes they are planted too close together and this can cause some slow growth.

When you plant them, ensure that they are spaced correctly. Though they are perfect as hedge fencing, Arborvitae should be planted at least 2 feet apart from each other so that they are not competing for the nutrients in the soil.

Too much nutrient competition means that they will grow more slowly.

5 – Care for Them Properly During Winter Time

Even though Arborvitae trees are hardy and durable, you need to take care of them properly if you live in a region where there is snow during the winter season.

When snow and ice build up around the base of the tree and on the branches, you need to knock it off. If they remain, they can damage the trees, slow their growth, and cause disease!

One way that you can maintain good care during winter and snowy conditions is to cover the Arborvitae trees with a mesh. This will ensure that the snow doesn’t build up on the branches and simply slides away.

The other benefit is that it will also keep animals away from damaging the trees.

6 – Make Sure You Water Them Properly

Many people inexperienced with Arborvitae don’t water them enough in their first season of being planted.

Ideally, you should water your Arborvitae trees deeply at least in their first season. This must happen all season and it should be done by hand!

You might use a sprinkler or watering system, but the problem is that this usually only results in a superficial soak.

Water your newly planted Arborvitae trees each day for 10 minutes in their first seasons during the hot weather. 

As the season changes and the cooler weather comes in, just keep the soil moist but not soaked. This ensures that the newly planted Arborvitae will grow optimally during their first season.

If you’re going through a drought, it’s also a good idea to cover the soil surface with a nice thick layer of mulch. This will prevent the moisture in the soil after watering from drying up or evaporating too quickly.

7 – Prune Strategically

Strategic pruning is important for promoting plant growth. It’s all about removing dead, damaged, or crossed branches by cutting them off at their point of origin. 

The best time to prune Arborvitae for growth is early spring before the new flush of growth has emerged. You can also prune them in late winter. 

You should take off no more than ⅓ of the total growth in one year! Taking off more can stress the plant and do more harm than good. 

Be sure to make the cuts just above the leaf nodules or buds so that new growth emerges there. 

8 – Use a Suitable Fertilizer

Another way you can accelerate your Arbovitae’s growth is by using a suitable fertilizer. Look for fertilizers that are specifically formulated for evergreens.

The fertilizer you choose should contain balanced amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A good example is a 10-10-10 fertilizer.

I recommend fertilizing in early spring when new growth is just starting to emerge. Follow the package directions as far as how much to apply. 

Be sure to spread the fertilizer around the base of each plant, about 6-12 inches away from the trunk. Water it in well after you’re done spreading it. 

Final Thoughts

There are many types of Arborvitae trees and they tend to be durable trees. People love their dense green foliage and the fact that they can be used as hedgerows.

Just remember to look after them properly so that their growth will be optimal.

By doing the right thing, your Arborvitae plants will thrive and prosper even in the heat of summer, and you can enjoy them all year round.

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