Green Giant Arbor Vitae

Hello! Last spring we had green giant arbor vitae planted in a few areas of our yard. Do these need to be pruned? As they grow they seem to be a little spindly at the top, and I'm not sure if we should be trying to shape them.

And if so, is there a person/company that does this sort of thing? The spring project was the first time we had any real landscaping done so we're new to this.

Yes, they should be pruned back on tops and sides periodically so they biforcate and stay full.

it depends on if you are looking for a hedge, or if they have room to grow and do their 'thing'.  Once you top them and sheer their sides, you'll have hedge and need to do that yearly (right now is good time of  year for that).

Don't shear them.  Hand prune.

quercus said:

Don't shear them.  Hand prune.

Absolutely, hand prune to retain the shrubs' soft, graceful look. We give our 7 green giants a flat top trim in spring, keeping them at about 6 feet high.We planted ours 3 years ago as a screen (not hedge) for our patio. 

quercus said:

Don't shear them.  Hand prune.

Oh, I agree, but the average person (and lawn professional who thinks he is a landscaper) doesn't even know how to do this, let alone, won't do this.  

Either way, just do your pruning NOW!  Late winter, early early spring.