Shaping Occidentalis & Other Bushes

[Gardentime]

Hello Everyone,

Ever since I was young I have found those neatly shaped shrubs in the front of homes to be very attractive. (e.g. spiral shrubs, poodle tiers, cones) I was wondering...can you prune/shape any evergreen shrub, or varieties like it? We have two 'Thuja Occidentalis'' in front of our home and one other evergreen shrub (Sorry I do not know the name of it). The Occidentalis' are about 5 and a half feet tall and have been that way for about 3 years (the shrubs are 12 years old).

If it is possible to prune these shrubs, here's what I would like to do:

1) form the 'Thuja's' into poodle tier shrubs (3 balls).
2) form the unknown into a spiral shrub.


OF COURSE I WOULDN'T START THIS PROJECT UNTIL LATE APRIL AT THE EARLIEST!!


Thanks, have a good one.

[Kisal]

Almost any evergreen plant can be used to create a topiary. Some people even use plants such as ivies to create indoor topiaries. There are a couple of important criteria, however:

1. The plant should be evergreen

2. The plant should sprout new leaves after being pruned. Some plants don't. A lavender shrub is an example. If you cut it back to the woody parts, that's the way it will stay. Those areas will never leaf out again. I once had a juniper that did the same thing

I suggest that you visit your library and borrow some books on the subject. There are books that have pictorial step-by-step instructions, showing exactly how to shape a plant into the topiary of your choice.

[Gardentime]

Thank you for your speedy reply!

I will check my local library in late April...I know they'll have books on pruning.

As to the shrub that I did not know the name of...I did some research and I believe it is a Picea glauca 'Conica.' It looks something like this, except mine is a few inches shorter: http://www.lotf.com/plants/shrubs/sprucedwfalb.jpg

In the end I would love it to look like this: http://www.connon.ca/gallery/EVERGREENS/1122.jpg

But we'll see...

[Kisal]

Thuja are arborvitae. I'm not sure they would lend themselves to topiary. Often, they will have a bare, woody interior where the green parts have died away due to the outer parts blocking the sunlight. If you cut the green parts away, those interior branches will never sprout new needles/leaves. At least that's what it seems the University of Colorado is saying in this document:

Pruning Evergreens

It's also exactly what happened with my juniper.

The spiral cut tree in the picture you posted is not an arborvitae. I'm not experienced at ID-ing trees, so I have no idea what kind of evergreen it is. One of our tree experts may come along and be able to tell you what it is, though.

[Gardentime]

Hello,

I was not planning on only cutting the outer branches of the thuja.
I was hoping to make three seperate tiers, or balls out of it, so I would cut all the way to the trunk in between the balls only (not touching the rest of the bush)


I was hoping to do this with the Thuja because I saw a spiral version and a tier version of the Thuja Occidentalis but I am not sure if they grow them that way or shape them.


Once again,
thanks.

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[Kisal]

Oh, it's definitely done by pruning to shape. It very well might work just fine to make separate tiers on your tree. I didn't clearly understand what you had in mind.

[Gardentime]

Kisal,

Thank you so much for your honest advice and prompt replies.
Is there somewhere I can report helpful members so they can be recognized on this site?

If not, thanks again! I am sorry if I was the one who was not being clear enough...

Have a nice day!

[rainbowgardener]

Thanks for the compliment to Kisal. She is already a moderator which means that she's been recognized for her helpfulness. We already know that she does a terrific job!

Good luck with your topiary project! Be sure to take some before and after photos, let us know how it works out.

[treeguy]

Both photos look like alberta spruce they only grow about 1/2-3/4 inch per year they should work great

[Gardentime]

And now is not the time to do this project, correct?

I will wait until the weather gets warm anyhow.

[rainbowgardener]

well, not too warm... they are best pruned in early spring, while still dormant, before the new growth emerges.

[MysticGardener67]

advice, I have done quite a bit of topiary work in my carrer, it is not for the faint of heart. Thuja CAN be topiaried, I have done a few 6 ft spirals on the upright varieties (Emerald Green et al.) and the rounded varieties ( Hetzii et al) with good results.

The ONLY problem I have with theThuja/Arborvitae is they are very quick growers when young, needing weekly shaping to keep a nice sharp outline.

IF you are shaping the Thuja, be absolutly positive the twig/stem you want to cut is THE twig you want to remove. Thuja, like most other evergreens, do not sprout new branches from the laterals. They will grow new foliage from the reamins of cut foliage. Cut a Thuja 'leaf' and the damaged scales will grow new 'scales'

Sounds like you have a really nice Emerald Green Arborvitae in your yard, Perhaps you should purchase a smaller , more easily replaced version of your beloved shrub first before attempting this project.

It cannot hurt to visit your local non corporate gardening and landscape center and ask the owner to give you a quick class. topiary is one of thos e skills that is many many times easier to show than to tell.