I live in Georiga and have trees lining my driveway. I think Green Giant Arborvitae. I asked my Gardner to trim the trees back 1 ft on each side in late September and he did ~3 feet on either side. The trees have some browning and I am worried the tree is unhealthy from over-trimming. I'm looking for guidance if this is normal/seasonal or if the tree is unhealthy? And if the tree is unhealthy, what should I do to get it back to full health?

The gardener cut into the interior of the tree where there is no green. Arborvitae may resprout from the trunk but not neccessily from cut branches. They are not unhealthy but that brown will not go away.

@Lucy68 thank you! So the tree is healthy/fine and will just need time to (hopefully) regrow? No intervention is required?

I can't speak to arborvitae, but some trees and shrubs like red cedar & yaupon holly will not grow new growth from limbs that have been cut too far back.

The way that I understand Lucy's post... You now have exposed trunks, those limbs will probably die back... Maybe you get new limbs from the trunks... Maybe not.

For future reference, In Georgia, we trim in February, Just before the trees and bushes come out of winter dormancy.

The main reason for late winter pruning rather than autumn is so we don't have to live with the unsightly pruning cuts all winter... the trees and bushes immediately start sending out new growth.

Another reason for avoiding autumn pruning... The plants have just enough time to send out new tender growth... which always gets damaged by the cold.

It's unfortunate that your gardener failed to inform you of this information.

stone said:
The way that I understand Lucy's post... You now have exposed trunks, those limbs will probably die back... Maybe you get new limbs from the trunks... Maybe not.

You understand.

I can't help but suggest that you think about removing the ones next to the house. I can see they were overhanging the driveway and staining it. You'll just be fighting them with pruning, if they do grow back. It looks like a lovely shady(?) place for something more interesting, less imposing, and allow the nice brick to be seen.

I realize I'm straying from your question, I am just hoping to be helpful long term.