Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
that respond well to decapitation, or see above,
'Reducing height and width'.
Pruning weeping branches
Whether it is a weeping rose, a weeping
ornamental cherry or a huge weeping willow,
the pruning theory is the same, just a change
in scale. Often a weeping tree precludes
anyone from passing underneath. It may hang
itself over a fence next to a footpath, or the
overall outline of the plant might become too
solid. An unpruned weeping plant may no
longer drape its foliage gracefully, but
become a dense and impenetrable wall much
like a shrub that has grown too heavy and
dominating for its space. In the case of
children's gardens, the latter is a decided
advantage - there is no better spot for a
cubby. In order to remain elegantly wistful if
not mournful, however, a little thinning of
the branches is often required.
Figure 4.81
Make more room under your tree by
removing lower branches.
Figure 4.82
Turning an overly large shrub into a tree can change the feeling of your garden and open up new
horticultural horizons. Remove lower branches in much the same manner as lifting the canopy of a tree.
