Evergreen Tree Care Guide—Arborvitae and Cypress Trees

For arborvitae trees, cypress trees, and other needled evergreens

Needled evergreens like arborvitae and cypress trees are hardy, attractive, and easy to care for. This makes them a popular choice for privacy hedging in many places across the country. 

However, while they're low-maintenance once established, it's important to get your evergreen trees off to a strong start after planting. Think of this guide as your step-by-step playbook to help your new tree settle in, build strong roots, and grow well for years to come.

Whether you’re planting a full privacy hedge or a single statement tree, following good evergreen tree care practices from the start will set your plant (and your yard) up for long-term success.

Sunlight

Sunlight plays a major role in keeping evergreens dense, green, and healthy. Understanding how much light your tree needs is one of the easiest ways to improve overall evergreen care and growth.

Most evergreens love the sunshine, and grow best when planted in full to partial sunlight. Aim to plant them where they’ll soak up 4–8 hours of sun each day (and ideally 6-8 hours). Full sun is best, but a little afternoon shade won’t hurt, especially in warmer climates.

Watering

Proper watering is the cornerstone of great evergreen tree care. The goal is to water deeply so roots grow strong and drought-resistant, not shallow and stressed.

Watering schedule for new trees

• Week 1: Water every day.
• Weeks 2–3: Switch to watering every other day.
• Week 4 onward: Gradually reduce frequency by removing one watering day per week until you reach 1–2 deep waterings per week.

In hot or dry conditions, you may need to water more often—always deeply and slowly.

Pro watering tips

• When possible, water in the morning, when temperatures are cooler, to allow your plants to absorb the most hydration.
• Bigger trees (3 gallons and up) need water to reach at least halfway down the rootball—be sure you're using enough water. If you're not sure, run your hose into a 5-gallon bucket for the amount of time you'd usually water, to see how much they're getting.
• Keep the soil around the root zone evenly moist—not soggy and not dry.
• If things dry out too fast, add more water per session instead of watering more days.
• Keep up with this routine for at least two growing seasons (and a third if you’re in a hot climate).

Checking moisture

After the first few weeks post-planting, you can check soil moisture to make sure it's the right time to water. Dig your finger (or a moisture meter) about 2–3 inches deep around the rootball. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. When you do, go slow—let the water soak all the way through the root zone and surrounding soil so those roots get a good, deep drink.

Fertilizing

Feeding your evergreens properly is key to maintaining their lush color and steady growth. The right fertilizer routine can make a big difference in the long-term health and vigor of your evergreen trees.

• When planting, use a root stimulator with extra phosphorus to jump-start strong roots.
• Skip high-nitrogen fertilizers the first year—they’ll push leafy growth before roots are ready to support it.
• After the first year, a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or lower) will keep your evergreen happy and growing steadily.

In general, avoid fertilizing when plants are stressed, in times of heat or drought, or immediately before winter, to avoid pushing out new growth that will be more susceptible to damage.

Pruning

Light pruning can keep your trees looking natural, while preventing common issues that can stunt growth. However, most evergreen trees in this category don't require regular pruning. Only prune as needed for shape or to remove dead or dying branches.

• If you’re growing a uniform hedge, light shaping is fine.
• Snip off any brittle or dead branches when you see them.
• Avoid cutting the top of your trees; it can stunt growth and change the tree’s natural shape.

Pro tips for larger and smaller trees

Specific care needs also depend on the size of your tree at the time of planting—whether you’ve planted a small starter plant or a large, established evergreen. Adjusting your evergreen care routine based on its initial size can help your plant establish quickly and stay resilient.

Small plants (1–3 gallon containers):

• Keep a closer eye on small trees—they tend to dry out faster and will need steady watering and root stimulation.
• Be patient: smaller plants take longer before you can scale back watering.
• If planting later in the year, early fall is ideal, since smaller trees are more susceptible to heat and drought.
• Give them at least 1–2 months before the first freeze or major heat wave to get established.
• Mulch helps protect them and retain moisture during hot spells (as well as insulate during colder temperatures).

Large plants (5–7 gallon containers or bigger):

• The most common issue for larger plants is underwatering—larger trees have bigger rootballs, which require more water to be fully hydrated.
• Prioritize slow, deep watering to allow it to soak through the whole rootball.
• Avoid quick, shallow waterings—they only wet the surface and stress the roots.
• If your tree’s been thirsty for a while, rehydrate deeply and use a root stimulator to help it bounce back.

Common issues & fixes

Even with the best care, a few bumps in the road can happen. Watching out for early warning signs—like yellowing needles or brittle branches—can help you identify problems with plenty of time to resolve them.

Worried your newly planted trees aren't growing fast enough? That's totally normal. Evergreens follow the “sleep, creep, leap” pattern—year one is all about developing strong roots. More visible growth will come in years two and three.

Recommended products

The right tools and treatments can make all the difference in evergreen care, especially during the first year after planting. Here are a few tried-and-true products that help new trees get off to a strong start.

• Root Rocket® Evergreen Rocket: This unique formulation has the nutrients your evergreens need to establish quickly and thrive after transplanting, including a 4-1-2 blend of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium.
• ArborRain® Slow-Release Watering Ring: Delivers deep, even watering right to the root zone.
• Dramm Soaker Hose: Waters evenly while reducing water waste.