Thuja plicatum

petehaskell

Hi gardening chums.... can someone please advise me when to remove the lower branches of a red cedar hedge. I am trying to create a hedge with around 6 feet of clean trunk and about 10 feet high.....almost pleached. Do you remove branches gradually or wait until the required height is achieved? I have googled it but can't find the answer. Thanks in advance 👍

the enduring gardener

I'd certainly let young trees establish more branches whilst young before raising the crown. But you might find some middle ground after a few years take some of the lower branches off and working your way up at a slower rate than it is growing.

petehaskell

Thanks for the reply..... I will take your advice 👍