Arborvitae plants are popular, cheap evergreen shrubs found all around Chicago. Here’s how to pick one that’s right for your yard.

Late winter or early spring is generally the best time to prune conifers (needled evergreens) such as arborvitae, but these plants do not respond well to heavy pruning at any time of the year.

With its pointed top, slow-growing arborvitae can reach about five feet in height. Its thick branches provide plenty of privacy, and for a good long while (it lives up to 150 years in some cases).

Many trees and shrubs — arborvitae included — are very sensitive to dry spells, he says. “By the time these plants are stressed to the point that they look like they are dying, it’s ...

Q: I have a row of 20 ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae that are five years old and about 11-12 feet in height. They are watered via ½-inch dripper line tubing.

I have a problem with my emerald arborvitae shrubs. Several years ago I planted six of these shrubs along my driveway. I also planted one in the back yard against the house and two others in the ...

The arborvitae regained their structure and were still standing tall many decades later. Deciduous (leafy) shrubs that are flattened by snow and ice are better able to rebound than evergreens.

Dress up your porch or patio with gorgeous evergreen shrubs perfect for winter containers. The key to fabulous winter containers is evergreen foliage, but evergreen doesn't have to mean just green ...

It's typical for arborvitae to be totally stripped of foliage up to the point at which rabbits can reach. Sometimes they’ll eat higher if a snowbank gives them access. Unfortunately, there’s ...

Q: I need to prune an arborvitae hedge because it is too tall. I’d like to remove 3 or 4 feet off the top of these shrubs. When is the best time to prune them?