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California Gardening

pruning a shrub into a small tree

18 years ago

I need some how-to advice for pruning a Toyon shrub so that it will grow to be a small tree. Right now, the Toyon is about 2 feet tall with 4 or 5 branches, none of them appearing to be a central leader type of branch. It is still in its nursery container and I will be planting it into the ground soon. I would appreciate any advice. thanks.

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Comments (3)

gardenguru1950
18 years ago
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
buddyben
Original Author
18 years ago
Joe, thanks for the excellent response. Yes, I had in mind a multi-trunked tree too. When you say "tip" the central shoot, is that the same as pinching the terminal bud to encourage branching??
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gardenguru1950
18 years ago
"When you say "tip" the central shoot, is that the same as pinching the terminal bud to encourage branching??"

Yes.

Joe

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