Berckmans Gold Arborvitae for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on September 29, 2022

Planting instructions

To plant your Berckmans gold arborvitae, remove the plant from its current container and observe its root ball. Loosen any tangled roots on the outside of the root ball and dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and about twice as wide. Place the plant in the hole and ensure that its main stem is vertical. If you plant multiple Berckmans gold arborvitaes, you should give each one about 3 feet of space.

Watering and nutrients

Although this plant needs water on a weekly basis during the first few growing seasons, you won’t need to water it much at all once it is mature. The Berckmans gold arborvitae has great drought tolerance and will only need supplemental watering when there has been a prolonged period of drought or a long heatwave. Your Berckmans gold arborvitae will also grow just fine without fertilization. If you choose to fertilize, you should do so with a balanced mix during the early spring.

Pollination

Pollination for Berckmans gold arborvitae is rarely a concern for those who grow this plant, and it often takes place without you even noticing. Like all arborvitaes and many other evergreen species, the Berckmans gold arborvitae is a cone-bearing plant that relies on the wind to carry its pollen rather than pollinator insects or bird species. When pollination is successful, the Berckmans gold arborvitae will produce a set of brown cones that hold its seeds.

Pruning

In many cases, it is not necessary to prune a Berckmans gold arborvitae tree. This plant remains small and develops a neat conical form without the need for shaping and trimming. In fact, if you do choose to prune this plant, you should do so minimally. Arborvitaes do not sprout new growth from old wood, which means that cutting this plant’s foliage too far back can lead to permanent bare patches. Any pruning you choose to perform should take place during the spring.

Pests, diseases and animals

The Berckmans gold arborvitae can have problems with pests and diseases that are generally common among most arborvitaes. In the case of pests, scale insects, bagworms and spider mites are some of the most common insects that will cause an infestation. Regarding disease, leaf blight, tip blight and other fungal infections are common. Root rot can also arise in this plant, which, like the previously mentioned diseases, is often the result of excessive moisture. The use of unclean pruning tools can also transfer disease to this plant.

Achieving maximum results

The overall size of the Berckmans gold arborvitae can be surprising to some. On the one hand, some view this plant as a dwarf, when in actuality, it can grow to be as tall as 15 feet in some cases. Others expect this plant to grow just as large as any other arborvitae, which is not the case and detracts somewhat from the Berckmans gold arborvitae’s ability to provide privacy. Also, if you notice that your plant’s golden foliage begins to fade to green during summer, know that this is normal and not likely a sign of poor health.

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