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25 yr old Forsythia tree leaning approx 50%
barry.copland
Posts: 5
This tree has been in this spot before we bought the house. It is still vigorous and healthy....but large and spreading. Many trunks - so I cannot see 1 hefty pole being able to pull it more upright.
My thoughts are along the lines of digging out behind it and somehow pulling/pushing it upright and then filling the area vacated in the soil at the front. I should state that it is growing near a shared fence.
All contributions gratefully received. Oh yes, She who must be Obeyed will not countenance replaclng it with a new one.! I am 72 and the days when I was a young Adonis are long gone, John.!!
Barry
0
Posts
Barry, why not cut it hard back in the spring once it has flowered. It will quickly put on new growth. I cut one down to ground level three years ago and it's now 4 feet high.
I agree. After flowering - unless you don't mind losing the flowers - cut off all the branches which are growing in the wrong direction and give it a feed of blood, fish and bone to encourage it. Later in summer you can remove any new ones that don't grow in the direction you'd like. It will get the message.
I've never liked the rigid habit of Forsythias. I suggest uprooting and replacing with a better looking shrub.
Papi Jo, the OP's wife does not want another shrub.
We all have our likes and dislikes. Life would be rather boring otherwise.
Has it always been like that or just gone like that in the last year or so?? If the latter, there definitely seems to be a problem at the roots so I think it would be best to take it out and plant another - else you may get up one morning and it will be lying horizontal on your lawn!
You say how old it is - but how big is it??
If it has always been like that then I really don't think you will be able to get it anymore upright. You may be best to hard prune it just leaving the most vertical branches.
A photo might help!!
Thank you all for your replies. As suggested I shall post a photo when the weather allows - side on.
Barry
As suggested photos of the afore mentioned Forsythia shrub - twice my height, say 12 ft, I have trimmed it to a rounded shape.
From the photos attached I hope you can make out how far it is leaning - say about 50 degrees (maybe more) but is firm in the ground.
I understand what you are saying and Herself has read your replies - and as he is of the opinion that she would prefer the trimming route.
May I request a good time to do this without killing the bush/tree?
Barry
Gor Hogweed, not always like that but definitely been happening within last 10 years - almost as if the top is too heavy or it wants to get away from the fence. My feelings are to remove the ones that are at the greatest angle of dangle and cut back some of the others to provide space for new growth. Timing is everything (see my previous reply)
Barry
Hi Barry ... if the photos won't upload try reducing them in size ... it's a glitch on the forum which will be sorted soon but in the meantime reducing the size is a good workaround.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.