Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
To reduce the height of a tree, it is necessary
to reduce the height of the major structural
branches by cutting them down to a
secondary branch. Do not attempt this with
spire-shaped trees. Always prune to an
outward-facing branch. This technique is also
called drop crotching. It simply means that
the major branch is brought down to an
appropriate crotch, or junction, with a
secondary branch.
Reducing tree and shrub width
A wide-spreading tree or shrub is certainly
beautiful, but few of us have the luxury of
unlimited space. As always, look at your tree
first. Remove any drooping low-hanging
limbs. See if you can discern where the
branches tilt upwards and remove the growth
that is growing sideways, leaving the growth
that is growing in a more upward direction.
Always remove branch parts from their point
of origin so the plant can heal and the limb
will look like one continuous branch. This
must be done to the entire canopy if the tree
is to retain its balance. Wide upper branches
will shade the lower limbs that have been
pruned to grow upwards. This will reduce the
lower limb's growth rate or even kill them.
The periphery of the canopy must be graded
to allow light to reach its entire surface (see
Figure 4.80).
Figure 4.80 Reduce the width of your tree or shrub by
pruning to an upward growing branch.
a tempting landscape beyond. Remove some
of the lower branches of your tree to create
the desired effect. Do not remove too many as
this will reduce the leafy canopy too
dramatically and therefore reduce growth
(see Figure 4.81).
Plants that can't decide whether they are a tree
or a shrub can be forced to commit to a more
treeish form. Many shrubs that have grown too
large for their space can become heavy and
oppressive in the garden. The best solution
(provided it is not planted for screening
purposes) is to convert it into a multi-stemmed
small tree, thus freeing the ground space and
creating a higher leafy canopy, in favour of an
undistinguished blob. If the plant was
intended to screen ugly views choose plants
Create more space underneath your tree and
making shrubs into small trees
As trees mature, lower limbs can be removed
to allow the gardener space to cultivate under
the tree or to provide a space for a garden
seat. Removing lower branches can also open
up views behind the tree, allowing glimpses of
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