Thuja hedges are out: why experts strongly urge you to remove them from your garden immediately.

Thuja hedges are starting to crumble - and with them, a garden ideal from another era.

Across the country, many homeowners are staring in disbelief at brown gaps in what were once deep-green screens. Drought, pests and changing rules are all squeezing Thuja. The signs are stacking up: the age of the identical, evergreen hedge is ending sooner than most expect.

Thuja hedges: an 80s relic turns into a problem

Thuja, commonly sold as Lebensbaum (arborvitae) in garden centres, became popular because it grew quickly and blocked prying eyes. That convenience made it a массов-market favourite. Now the picture is reversing. As a shallow-rooted plant, Thuja struggles to find moisture once soils dry out. Its fine roots also compact the topsoil, which then dries even faster. Gardeners report powder-dry ground beneath older rows even after heavy watering.

"Studies from France put a figure on the extra consumption: Thuja hedges need up to 60 percent more water than species-rich hedges made up of native shrubs."

The uniform structure offers little food for insects and birds. Nesting sites are scarce, and flowers are largely absent. In eco audits, that pushes the hedge down the rankings. In France, some councils restrict Thuja through local development plans; a few even support removal and replanting with mixed hedges. In Germany, municipalities are increasingly reviewing Thuja through the lens of water use and biodiversity. As requirements vary, it is worth checking your local by-laws.

Rules are changing: why councils are supporting Thuja hedge removal

A dense, thirsty privacy screen drives up watering demand in heatwave summers. That strains infrastructure and increases costs. Funding schemes therefore favour “living hedges”: less frequent cutting, more habitat, and lower water demand. Owners, in turn, gain more resilient gardens that cope better with extreme weather.

Stress, pests, chain reaction: when you should take action on Thuja

Drought stress often opens the door to the next hit: the Thuja jewel beetle. It detects weakened plants through scent signals. The larvae tunnel beneath the bark, chew through water-conducting tissues and choke off sap flow. The shrub dries out from the inside. What you notice is brown, brittle sections that spread from the centre outwards.

• Brown patches within the green outer growth that keep expanding
  
• Shoots with brown scales that no longer put on new growth
  
• Fine tunnelling under the bark and oval exit holes
  
• No regrowth from old wood, even after cutting back
  

"Specialist authorities classify heavily infested Thuja as beyond saving. There is no effective treatment against larvae inside the wood. Infested hedges spread the problem to neighbouring plants."

Leaving diseased rows in place effectively creates a breeding habitat for the next beetle generation. The risk can extend to other conifers, including some cypresses. Acting early helps protect an entire street’s planting.

Removing Thuja correctly: timing, methods, disposal

Birds nest between mid-March and the end of July. During that period, avoid grubbing out hedges and carrying out heavy cuts. Plan major work for late summer or autumn instead. That reduces conflict and is kinder to wildlife.

Work methodically. If the ground is not already damp, lightly water the soil the day before. Start by cutting the hedge back hard. Then use a spade or root spade and lever out the root ball with the main roots. For long runs, a stump grinder (root grinder) can save a lot of time.

• Put on protective kit: gloves, safety glasses, sturdy footwear
  
• Work section by section, fully freeing the root plate each time
  
• Loosen the soil to a depth of 25–35 cm and remove thick root remnants
  
• Dig in compost: 20–30 litres per linear metre
  

Do not run infested wood through a garden shredder. Take it to a facility that hot-composts or incinerates. That is the most reliable way to break the pest cycle.

Costs vary widely by region. For removing older hedges, contractors often charge €20–€60 per linear metre, depending on height, access and root strength. Hiring a grinder is typically around €100–€150 per day. Doing the labour yourself reduces the bill, but it demands time and physical effort.

Replanting after Thuja: a species mix instead of a green wall

Once the hedge is out, the soil needs a chance to recover. Allow two to four weeks and keep the strip free of weeds. Then plant in mixed groups. That way, a single pest cannot wipe out the entire line. Staggered flowering times also feed insects from spring through to autumn.

"Mixed hedges hold more moisture in the root zone. Measurement series show up to 30 percent higher soil moisture compared with Thuja monocultures during heat periods."

Suitable choices (depending on region and soil) include:

• Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus): tolerates pruning, stable, native
  
• Privet (Ligustrum vulgare/ovalifolium): semi-evergreen, bee-friendly
  
• Common or red-osier dogwood (Cornus sanguinea/sericea): colourful winter stems
  
• Field maple (Acer campestre): drought-tolerant, tough
  
• Hazel (Corylus avellana): early flowering, nuts for wildlife
  
• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): dense hedge, food for birds
  
• Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus): evergreen in mild areas
  
• Photinia x fraseri: red new growth, wind-tolerant in sheltered spots
  
• Miscanthus and other grasses: fast privacy, plus the bonus of a gentle rustle
  

Feature	Thuja hedge	Mixed hedge
Water demand in summer	high	low to medium
Root system	shallow, strongly competitive	layered, loosens the soil
Biodiversity	poor	rich in food sources and nesting sites
Risk of total failure	high with pest infestation	low due to species diversity
Maintenance	frequent cutting, little flowering	2–3 cuts/year, flowers and berries

Planting tips for long-lasting privacy with Thuja alternatives

Plant in two staggered rows. Keep 80–120 cm between plants, depending on the species. Aim for 5–7 species per 10 metres. Apply a 5–7 cm layer of mulch using woodchips. Water regularly in the first year, then only during extended dry spells. Drip hoses save water and deliver it precisely to the root zone.

Law, neighbours, planning: what to clarify first

Boundary distances are set by the neighbour law of each federal state. For hedges up to 2 metres high, 50 centimetres from the boundary is often required; above that, more distance may apply. Check the local rule. Before removal, protect yourself if nests are present. A quick inspection of the hedge and a call to the local nature conservation office can prevent problems.

Calculate quantities realistically. For a 10-metre hedge in two rows at 1 metre spacing, you will need about 20 woody plants. With an initial mix of shrubs, small trees and 2–3 ornamental grasses per section, gaps close quickly. During the transition, mobile screens such as willow fencing or climbing frames with annuals can help.

Terminology and a practical example (Thuja / Lebensbaum)

Lebensbaum is the common retail name for Thuja species. In horticulture, Thuja occidentalis predominates. It stays dense above ground, but it is reluctant to reshoot from old wood. That is why gaps remain visible once sections turn brown.

One practical approach: remove old Thuja in September, work in compost and woodchips, then plant in autumn with hornbeam, privet, dogwood and two blocks of Miscanthus. In year one, water via drip hose twice a week for 30 minutes. From year two, reduce watering to dry spells only. Privacy screening is in place by season three, while flowering attracts pollinators from the very first spring.