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How to prune Salix Integra Flamingo?

CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
in Plants
Hi guys,

I have a Salix tree and over this year it's gone crazy and sprites huge new thick branches. It is starting to get a bit too big and looks messy so how do I go about pruning it?

Should I just go over the whole lot with some shears to shape it? And should I also cut out those huge thick branches at the base?

Thanks :)

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    edited October 2018
    It's totally up to you with the overall shape. I would take out half of the length from the longest branches. Then the rest can be lightly pruned. You can pruned further in if you want to too, they will recover. Can do this now or next year in spring.
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Thanks borderline!

    If I do cut the really thick branches back by half won't this leave a thick stub that you can see or will new foliage grow around it to hide it?
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    It will create a stub for a while, but that generates more side shoots/branching take over. 
  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    I think your Salix 'Flamingo' will have been grafted on to a different Salix rootstock at 'standard' height. The rootstock gives the vigour to the scion (S.Flamingo). I would prune out the thicker stems to the height of the graft union and let new growth start again from there. 
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Yea it is grafted onto a rootstock
  • roselyndalyroselyndaly Posts: 2
    Hi I have a couple of Salix  flamingo trees. They have kept their ball shape but getting a bit too big. I was going to trim them back later this month but I’ve noticed buds have already come. Can I still give it a trim even though the buds have arrived early or will it spoil the tree,
    Thank you  
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Well with mine I cut it at any time of the year I know you are not supposed to but it never had any problems. But mostly I did it around this time of year. The buds will be the leaves so whatever stems are left the leaves will just grow on them. So I would definately cut it now. 

    I also trimmed mine into a lovely mushroom shape as you can treat them like topiary. It looked lovely!
  • roselyndalyroselyndaly Posts: 2
    Thank you I’ll send the hubby out there now to give it a trim😊
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