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Red Robin from shrub to tree?

lb191lb191 Posts: 80
in Plants

Hi,

I found a red robin that has been grown into a 2-3m tree to minimise space lost in the garden whilst providing a high level evergreen screen from neighbours. The trunk is 8-10cm diameter.

Its around £500 plus £140 delivery!

I can find red robin hedge plants that are 2-3 meters for about £100 with free delivery with minimum spend.

Could I buy the hedge plant and chop off all the side branches and end up with a very similar effect without critically injuring it?

Last edited: 03 September 2017 08:10:22

Posts

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543

    I would go for it,after all that is how the 'trees' have been made in the first place and they are the same plant!

    It may take a bit of time but that is probably what you would be paying for if you bought the high priced ones.

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    There's no reason why you can't 'lollipop' them or raise their canopy, but bear in mind that buying any shrub at that size brings some difficulty - mainly in getting it established.

    A slightly smaller specimen will grow fairly quickly if the conditions are right, will be easier to establish, and will recover better from pruning back of lower branches. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543

    I have been trying to get rid of mine!

    It was planted by developers too near the road and I had to keep hacking it back.Last year I decided it had to go so cut it off at ground level (digging out not an option).

    All this year it has been sending up shoots that I have to keep removing!!

    It just doesn't know how to give up!!!!!!!

    Last edited: 03 September 2017 12:16:45

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • lb191lb191 Posts: 80

    Ok great, thanks for the words of support.

    It should be much easier to convince my husband now :)

  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431

    When we moved in to our garden nine years ago there was a very large photinia bush, taking up a lot of room. Its branches were already thick, but I removed many of the lower ones until I had a tree. It looks lovely now. (I'll try to find a "before" and "after" photo when I get back from holiday.)Go for it - and feed it well afterwards. 

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