Question
I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  I have a couple large
arborvetae in my front yard which faces West.  They have grown
so fat that they are shading my flower bed.  When can I trim
them back?  Is there a special way to do it?


Thank you

Answer
Nancy,
Get a good electric or gas powered(which I prefer)trimmer that you are comfortable with,preferably a lightweight one because believe me you are going to need it to be.If they are too tall at the top to reach,either get a man or a ladder.HA. (I can be sarcastic).If you do stand on a ladder just make sure it is steady and even at the bottom and it will hold your weight.I have a gas powered Black and Decker trimmer that is probably the smallest or next to smallest I could find.I got one at Lowes for under $40.But just shape the tree like a pyramid or a better example would be like a Christmas tree. by starting at the bottom and going ineard as you go up the tree. I am assuming you mean a tree form but if you are speaking of a shrub form just basically do the same except fthe shape of the shrub.If you want it to look round,which you probably do then again start at the bottom of the shrub and follow a round pattern around the top of the shrub. Afterwards it will be really a difference and you might even thinks it's fun.I do!