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Holly tree pruning advice

OfmiceandmenOfmiceandmen Posts: 6
in Problem solving
I've moved in to a house with a Holly tree at the front, she's about 10ft tall and I love her dearly. I would love for her to be a bit "fuller" as she only seems to grow leaves on the very ends of her branches and looks very spindly.

I've tried looking online for the best time to prune and how to do it but have come up blank, most places say they don't need it at all and I don't want to damage her. She's already got lots of berries coming in for winter and I'd rather not lose any! 

Any help would be great, it's not the best picture but as you can see only the tips have leaves! 


Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    *Bump* for hopefully some advice  :)
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    At 10 ft tall, no need to be so gentle with it. The more established a shrub, the faster they grow back, so you can start pruning them now.

    You say you want it to be more fuller, and the only way to get that look is to prune the long branches back. The shrub may look bare when you have done that, but you are rejuvenating this shrub/tree. 
  • OfmiceandmenOfmiceandmen Posts: 6
    Thank you for the advice. Would I do it any harm by waiting until early next year to prune it, just so the birds have a chance to enjoy the berries this year?

    Was scared if I gave it a hard chop it would hurt it but can see how it will help! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd do it now, if it was mine. A tidy up round about it, a good watering, and it will grow on a good bit this year. 
    However, if you want to wait, it'll do no harm at all  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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