Pruning Wisteria into a Small Tree?
tom35080
17 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
tsmith2579
17 years agotom35080
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Large Shrubs for Pruning into Small Trees
Comments (7)I grow most of my shrubs in more or less that format. They may not all perform in your area but they are leatherleaf viburnum (V. rhytidophyllum), Hydrangea aspera, Philadelphus, elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Guincho Purple'), Disanthus cercidiphyllum, and one that naturally grows in this shape, Leycesteria formosana. And, for that matter, some of my rhododendrons. The primary criterion for success with this form, it seems to me, is that the shrub has to not sprout too aggressively from the base once it has relatively mature stems. This rules out grafted shrubs, or at least, it does if you don't always want to be pruning suckers from the base. In fact my contorted filbert (Corylus avellana 'Harry Lauder's Walking Stick') would also qualify, and Hamamelis cultivars such as 'Diane' could do so, but there are always suckers. And even on others, you have to ruthlessly remove new growth from the base unless you want one to grow into a replacement stem - and I do prune out old stems from time to time. I also failed to achieve this form with Vitex, because mine sprouted aggressively and very laterally from the base - but that could have been because we cut it back severely at one point. I'm just working on converting it to a single stem tree form. The Vitex's history actually brings me to another criterion for success, which is that the reason we cut it back hard was that we were moving it AWAY from the house wall where it WOULD NOT grow upright - it leaned so far out that the adjacent patio became useless. It, and all my deciduous shrubs, now are planted away from structures and fences so that they get light from all sides, and they grow nice and straight )although if shaded by each other or other trees they also grow their bulk toward the sun). Next to a structure or wall, any deciduous shrub will lean away. If the garage is fairly low and the plant can get light once it grows above it, you can train it upright until it gets there. If the garage is taller and you can determinedly tie to the garage even as the plant grows to its full height, then of course you can grow whatever you want there - just don't expect it to happen naturally. I finally had to ask on another forum why conifers don't seem to have this problem... turns out conifers will grow upright even next to walls because they grow against gravity rather than toward light. Deciduous shrubs, on the other hand, grow toward light. Geotropic vs. phototropic, I think it was. Broadleaf evergreen shrubs, like rhodos and the Viburnum, seem to have some mix of the two properties, but don't quote me on that. I base this on noting how they grow in one-sided light conditions. Karin L PS another good candidate might be Hibiscus syriacus....See Morehow to prune Cran Bush Viburnum into small tree?
Comments (3)There are at least two types of viburnums commonly known as American Cranberry Viburnum. If you have Viburnum opulus var. americanum, prune immediately after flowering (late spring / early summer). If you have Viburnum trilobum, prune in late winter or very early spring before spring growth begins. In either case pruning in "fall after the leaves fall off" goes against ALL expert advise I have ever seen on either of these plants. If you are pruning dead wood or damaged branches, you can prune at other times, but for training and regular yearly pruning, I would stick with the normal recommendations....See Morepruning a shrub into a small tree
Comments (3)ben: My thinking is that your toyon is still too small to get into training it. And if it's less than 1-2 years old (in the ground), I'm pretty sure that's the case. If you want a true standard ("lollipop"), wait at least another year or two and then select the strongest and/or straightest (most verticaly upright). Remove all the other ground stems by cutting them completely to the ground. In another year from that, start "limbing up" by removing A FEW of the lowest branches -- DO NOT remove more than just a few. Each year, remove a few more until you have a "trunk". When the "tree" reaches somewhat close to the height you want it, tip the very central shoot to encourage it to produce a fullwer head. With that said, toyons will grow better -- and I think look much better -- when grown as a "multi-trunk" small tree. That means leaving several (maybe all) of the main shoots coming up fromm the ground. Let them grow to close to your ideal height and then gradually limb them all up. But don't tip them. Joe...See MorePruning a small Tangerine Tree
Comments (1)I would wait until it flushes out new growth. After that you will know for sure what branches are still viable and you can remove dead or damaged branches and prune for shape or size control. mike...See Moreamethystgardener
17 years agoUser
13 years agoalabamanicole
13 years agocatbird
13 years agopearlgirl
13 years agosoxxxx
13 years agoorganic_kitten
13 years agoUser
13 years agocatbird
13 years agoorganic_kitten
13 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESTidy Up Sprawling Native Shrubs With These Pruning Tips
Sound horticultural pruning methods work for native and nonnative plants alike
Full StorySPRING GARDENINGSpring Planting: Wonderful Wisteria
Classic Vines Add Fragrance, Color and Romance to Garden Designs
Full StoryWINTER GARDENINGPruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses
Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGot Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune
Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: Wisteria and Light in the French Countryside
A stone’s throw from the gardens of Versailles, a former presbytery is now a dream weekend retreat
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDIf You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...
Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio
Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in a modest outdoor space
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNPretty Trees for Patios, Paths and Other Tight Spots
Choose trees for their size, shape and rate of growth — or shape them to fit your space. Here's how to get started
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESTree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them
Learn to recognize trees that may be affected by diseases or pests so you can quickly take action
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Keep Your Trees Healthy
Ensure your trees’ vigor for years to come with these tips for protecting roots, watering effectively and more
Full Story
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7