Arborvitae are one of those plants that seems like a brilliant idea when you buy them. They’re tidy, they grow straight, they give you that clean green wall of privacy without too much fuss. Then they hit their stride and you realise you’ve essentially planted a slow-motion skyscraper in your garden bed. Trimming them is its own category of work, and pricing it by the tree is the clearest way to think about it.
What Does It Cost to Trim Arborvitae?
Most professional landscapers charge $25 to $75 per tree for routine arborvitae trimming in the US. In Canada, the range is broadly similar at C$30 to C$85 per tree. In the UK, where Thuja is less common but still appears in gardens, expect to pay £20 to £60 per specimen.
Those per-tree figures apply to well-maintained trees being trimmed on a regular schedule. Add overgrowth, awkward access, or significant height and the price moves up.
For a typical suburban privacy screen of 8 to 12 arborvitae, the total job usually runs $250 to $650 in the US. That’s the range you’ll find for a mid-morning job that keeps one landscaper busy for two to four hours.
Per-Tree vs. Hourly: Which Is More Common?
It depends on the job. For a row of similarly-sized, reasonably maintained arborvitae, per-tree pricing is common and makes it easy to compare quotes. For larger or more complex work, particularly trees that have grown significantly and need proper shaping rather than just tidying, most professionals switch to an hourly rate of $50 to $95 per hour in the US.
If you’re getting quotes, ask how the contractor prefers to price it and why. A contractor who insists on per-tree pricing for badly overgrown specimens is likely to either rush the job or send you a revised invoice at the end.
How Arborvitae Size Changes the Price
Size is the biggest variable in arborvitae trimming cost by a significant margin.
| Tree Size | Per Tree Cost (US) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 6 ft / 1.8 m) | $20 to $35 | Quick work, handheld tools |
| Medium (6 to 12 ft / 1.8 to 3.6 m) | $35 to $60 | Extendable trimmer, light ladder work |
| Large (12 to 20 ft / 3.6 to 6 m) | $60 to $100 | Ladder or lift equipment often needed |
| Very large (over 20 ft / 6 m) | $100 to $200+ | Specialised equipment, longer time |
Once arborvitae get above around 15 feet, the pricing logic shifts. You’re often looking at a day-rate quote rather than a per-tree figure, because the equipment requirements and safety setup take up a meaningful portion of the job time regardless of how many trees are in the row.
How Often Should Arborvitae Be Trimmed?
Once a year is the most common recommendation, typically in late spring after the year’s new growth has pushed out and started to harden. Some gardeners like to do a very light touch-up in late summer as well, but it’s not essential if the spring trim was done properly.
The species matters slightly here. Thuja occidentalis (Eastern arborvitae, the most common residential variety in the US) is a moderate grower at 30 to 60 centimetres per year. Thuja plicata (Western red cedar) can push beyond that in wetter climates. If yours is the fast-growing type, two trims per year keeps it more manageable and reduces cost per visit.
The One Thing That Catches People Off Guard
Arborvitae, like most conifers, will not regrow from bare brown wood. If the inner sections of the tree have browned out (which happens naturally as the centre of the tree matures), cutting back past the green zone leaves a permanent brown patch.
This matters practically because it puts a limit on how much you can take off the sides if a tree has been left to spread. You can always reduce the height from the top, but the sides can only be trimmed back to where there’s still active green growth. A good contractor will tell you this upfront. If someone promises they can take six inches off each side of a mature, dense arborvitae and it’ll green back up fine, be sceptical.
Debris: The Cost People Forget to Ask About
Arborvitae produce a surprising amount of clippings, particularly on larger trees. The fine feathery foliage compresses down but there’s a lot of volume on a big specimen. Debris disposal is either included in the quote or charged separately, typically at $30 to $80 for a standard row of residential arborvitae.
Always confirm debris handling before the contractor starts. It’s one of those things that creates friction at payment time if it wasn’t discussed at the quoting stage.
Tips to Keep Annual Trimming Costs Manageable
- Trim every year without fail. Skipping a season on fast-growing varieties means the next trim takes noticeably longer and costs more
- Book in May or early June in the northern hemisphere, before the summer rush makes scheduling tight
- If you have a row of arborvitae planted as a privacy screen, ask for a maintenance package rather than one-off pricing. Most contractors offer a recurring discount of 10 to 20 percent for regular clients
- Clear the base area before the contractor arrives. Moving planters, garden lights, and irrigation fittings saves time that you’re otherwise paying for
Want a tailored estimate for your arborvitae? The Hedge Trimming Cost Calculator can give you a solid starting point before you reach out to local contractors.