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#1
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I've been reading up on pruning a bit.
I've learned that you can prune off a, I'll call it a "side branch", right close to where it branches off from it's "parent" branch, just as long as you do it beyond that bulging-out mass where it branches off -- that bulging-out mass is made of protective cells that can isolate the cut from the other side of the bulge, thus protecting the tree. Here's my question: You have this bush with a branch that's 5 or 6 feet long, is by the side of a path or sidewalk, and sticks out into the sidewalk by, say, 2 feet or so. The nearest "bulge" (ie safe) cut-point is way back at the trunk, four or more feet from the sidewalk edge (where it's not bothering anyone) -- so you'd like to cut it there, at the sidewalk edge. You don't really want to cut it way back at the trunk, because you loose not only the long branch that's bothering no one, but ALSO all the branches that come off IT. So, that's my question. What do I do? Thanks, David |
#2
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David Combs wrote:
.... You have this bush with a branch that's 5 or 6 feet long, is by the side of a path or sidewalk, and sticks out into the sidewalk by, say, 2 feet or so. .... You don't really want to cut it way back at the trunk, because you loose not only the long branch that's bothering no one, but ALSO all the branches that come off IT. .... So, that's my question. What do I do? .... Depends in part on what the bush is; different things tend to regrow in different ways, but-- In general, if you take the whole branch it will fill back in again -- how long depends on how fast-growing the particular specimen is. You can trim at the desired boundary or inside somewhat and most decorative plantings will sprout new growth at that point. The difficulty there is you now have a new generation point that's not that far removed from the limiting place. So, in general, it's better to trim back farther and let regrow and then keep trimmed _before_ such drastic trimback is necessary. That of course, is on the same order as New Year's resolutions... ![]() -- |
#3
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#4
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Thanks much for those two suggestions!
Now I can go back to work! David FIRST-PS: Oh, I've been reading that you're supposed to hold off pruning until the end of winter or during the early spring. What problem from doing it at other times, eg now? David SECOND-PS: When wallking my doggie (super cute bijon) I often notice short hedges (4 feet high, 5 feet?) in which, you know, the leaves on these hedges, so as to get the sun, grow only on the outside "surface", with only "naked" branches on the "inside". Looks like what happened sometimes is that bushy-leafy end protruded out beyond (into the sidewalk, maybe), and they pruned off the extending-out-too-far part, leaving just a, well, "stick" (no leaves anywhere nearby) going back to a "parent" (often the bushes' "trunk") -- looks horrible. So, you're (well, one of you is) saying that they should have cut off the entire branch, back at its origin. (assuming no branch-points leading to leafy branches on other parts of the "surface".) Yes? (I'm just trying to verify (or disprove) my understanding of your suggestions.) THANKS! David |
#5
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#7
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David Combs wrote:
Thanks much for those two suggestions! Now I can go back to work! David FIRST-PS: Oh, I've been reading that you're supposed to hold off pruning until the end of winter or during the early spring. What problem from doing it at other times, eg now? David Depends on the plant .. some should be pruned after blooming, as new growth has to go through a freeze cycle in order to bloom. Pruning too late can cause new growth to freeze and die. SECOND-PS: When wallking my doggie (super cute bijon) I often notice short hedges (4 feet high, 5 feet?) in which, you know, the leaves on these hedges, so as to get the sun, grow only on the outside "surface", with only "naked" branches on the "inside". Looks like what happened sometimes is that bushy-leafy end protruded out beyond (into the sidewalk, maybe), and they pruned off the extending-out-too-far part, leaving That sounds like plants that have not been pruned at all, only clipped in the same place for many seasons. Trimming to a geometric shape rather than pruning to a natural shape will eventually cause new growth only on the surface. The effect of cutting at the end of the limb on most plants causes new growth at the bud just behind the cut, which in turn shades the rest of the plant and prohibits new growth lower down the limb. We have hedges around our condo, about 40 years old, which developed very thick limbs because of this. We had to really mutilate them, cutting back some of the thick limbs to the stump, to get them to fill in decently. Most should be PRUNED about every 2 or 3 years in order to keep new growth coming along. just a, well, "stick" (no leaves anywhere nearby) going back to a "parent" (often the bushes' "trunk") -- looks horrible. So, you're (well, one of you is) saying that they should have cut off the entire branch, back at its origin. (assuming no branch-points leading to leafy branches on other parts of the "surface".) Yes? (I'm just trying to verify (or disprove) my understanding of your suggestions.) Not all shrubs/bushes/small trees should be pruned with same methods. Best to get info specific to the variety - lots of info on extension service websites. THANKS! David |
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