I was given a ligustrum tree as a gift last February 2008. I followed the directions of watering, etc. It is planted in a very sunny area (southern exposure) It immediately started to drop leaves (brown) I left in June 08 and my sister watered weekly. I returned this October and the tree was without leaves (except for a few small new growth leaves). I called the nursery that sold it to us and they said it was dying due to a fungus due to lack of water and would not replace it. I need help. Can I prune it back and hope it come back to life. It has small leaves trying to come back (we have fertilized it regularly and watered it for the past 2 1/2 months) I think if we prune of the dead limb areas that it might come back. Can you offer me any help? Thanks, grammy Judy

Here in northern VA my waxleaf ligustrum drops its leaves every time we have a hard winter. When warm weather comes it leafs out just fine.

Yes! prune it like a small tree. That is the way I am pruning mine. If you you want to lower it some take out select limbs and stagger your cuts. That way you avoid the dome cut. No one comes near my ligustrum with a hedge trimmer. I planted my bush 8/9 years ago. It was fairly large, maybe 30 gallon pot? Anyway I am now able to hang some of my hoyas from the tree. You should start looking around your neighborhood and you will see other ligustrum grown in this manner...at least that is true around here.

Hi 👋 I know it’s a 4 year old discussion link, but thought I’d give it a try, as this is the topic I have a question in. I’m in Los Angeles area & a year ago planted a row of 15 gal Ligustrum Lucidum (they should grow fast & tall & it’s a medicinal Chinese herb). My objective is to get privacy from neighbors (see pics), so need it to grow in height. Right now they grew in sporadic “spikes”. Also, worth mentioning, that this particular variety produces ENORMOUS amount of berries (see pics). I’m patient, just want to know when & how to trim to encourage them growing tall? Intuitively, I feel I should sheer on the sides right before it flowers so the shrub doesn’t “waste” its energy on the flowering & berries... Don’t see any info on that 🤷🏻‍♀️ TIA. Any input is appreciated 🙏🏼