arborvitae

Arborvitae (Thuja 'Green Giant') should typically be watered once or twice a week, depending on local temperatures and climatic conditions. In warmer climates, watering once a week is usually enough, while in cooler climates it may be necessary to water twice a week. When watering, apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone of the arborvitae; a good rule of thumb is to provide 1 inch of water per week, either all at once or split between 2 waterings. After the arborvitae has established itself, it typically requires less water; in fact, overwatering can be just as much of a problem as underwatering.

Arborvitae thrive in full sun to partial shade, with a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. They are tolerant of more shade than some evergreens, but they can become overly shaded and suffer from branch tip burn if they receive more direct summer sunlight than they can handle. The amount of direct sunlight a particular arborvitae can receive will depend on the age of the plant, its variety and size, and the microenvironment in which it is growing.

For pruning arborvitae, there is no set rule as to how much and when to prune. It is recommended to prune no more than 1-third of the foliage at any 1 time, as too much pruning can damage the plant. It is best to prune arborvitae in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This will allow the plant the opportunity to heal and recover before the heat of summer.