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I read on a website you are never supposed to severely cut back a tree - say to limbs only 2-3 feet long. However a few years ago a landscaper did this to our Bradford Pear and it has grown back without any problem. Is this the only tree that's an exception to the rule? The more hardy the tree, the more you can "abuse" it?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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It varies by variety. We have a Liquidambar that was basically chopped in half by a fir limb in a windstorm, leaving only a 4' trunk, and it's back and beautiful after 3 years. I have pruned Japanese Maples and Elms to just a trunk and they come back nicely too. In fact I do this with many trees because I do bonsai. It has to be done at the right time of the year, early spring. Try it on most conifers and you will likely kill it.
It varies by variety. We have a Liquidambar that was basically chopped in half by a fir limb in a windstorm, leaving only a 4' trunk, and it's back and beautiful after 3 years. I have pruned Japanese Maples and Elms to just a trunk and they come back nicely too. In fact I do this with many trees because I do bonsai. It has to be done at the right time of the year, early spring. Try it on most conifers and you will likely kill it.
I've seen Catalpa trees trimmed severely; they end up as trunks with balls of big leaves on top. The thing is, a severe trim ruins the look of the tree, especially in winter. It is better to prune some every year, in my opinion.
I do realize that sometimes really big trees might have to be severely trimmed, but even then, there is a better way and a worse way to do this.
When I prune, I take the branch back to a main branch. I seldom just lop off a piece. (Some exceptions) You have to ask yourself how you want your tree to look. We had some large white oaks trimmed once, and the trimmers did the same thing.
Yeah I do a lot of minor pruning (small branches back to the limb)....which I believe you can do year-round.
Appreciate the info! especially good to know about the peach tree!
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