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Pruning a Serviceberry tree

5 years ago

A number of years ago, I planted several Serviceberry trees. Maybe it's just its habit to be so tall and lanky, but one of them had a large limb that split from the others, and the others were listing pretty badly too. So last spring (or maybe the Fall before that), I cut it back severely.,,,,to about 1 foot. It has since sprouted about 6 3-4' branches, and they are well on their way to being tall and lanky again. Should I keep cutting them back to make it all thicker?

Thanks!

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Comments (9)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
You cut the entire tree down to one foot?? Can you post photos?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
S is more properly.. a shrub ... and the usual system of pruning is called rejuvenation pruning ...

first is a general link ....

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Serviceberry+rejuvenation+pruning&t=ffcm&ia=web

here are some videos: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Serviceberry+rejuvenation+pruning&t=ffcm&iax=videos&ia=videos

as noted.. if you want some guidance on yours.. we would need pix ... use the camera/photo icon below the box you type a reply in ... to add some pix

ken
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Depending the form, the species and the cultivar, serviceberries can certainly be trees!! That's why we need to see photos to make any meaningful suggestions.
whaas_5a
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I thought all plants where trees?

Pictures would help but one thing I would suggest is that you don’t cut them back near the ground. I Would make a heading cut perhaps take a foot off to the Nearest outward facing bud.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
excessive fast growth ... MIGHT be associated with fertilizer ... most shrubs and trees simply dont need such ...

ken
catherinet
Original Author
5 years ago
Hello again. I got a picture of it. Like I said, it was cut back about a year or 2 ago. You can see the big stumps. Unfortunately, all the stems are growing out the front........no doubt because that's the side the sun is on. These branches are about 3' tall. Should I cut them back, since I don't want them turning into the lanky, leaning branches they were...one of which fell and tore off. I suppose when/if I do prune it, I should leave as many side branches facing backwards (towards the house/shaded side?? Would have help to keep it from leaning forward? I think I need to prune it very soon.

Thanks for your help.
dbarron
5 years ago
Oh my, this is tree abuse. It's obvious that the plant was not the proper plant for the site. I'd say you should just remove it versus fight it forever and have ugly stumps there.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
^^ I agree. Just get rid of it and replant with the form you want. That is never going to grow into anything you will be happy with!!

I would like to have seen it before it was cut back to the ground. You probably could have done something at that time to provide more of the habit/form you want but cutting back that hard was never going to provide that!
catherinet
Original Author
5 years ago
I'll try to find a picture of it when it was doing well. It was beautiful. It was right outside my bedroom window and attracted nice birds. Let me look for it. I'm curious why you call it tree abuse........ We live out in the country and live very rustically. We're not into the Good Houskeeping look. :) I've planted the same kind of tree in 2 other places, and it always looks just as lanky. I'll go look for a pic of it, in it's former life.

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