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Accidental Pittosporum crown lift

TheLittleBirdTheLittleBird Posts: 19
in Problem solving
We have an enormous variegated pittosporum tree and due to change in garden design and shade issues it was causing, we *were* going to fell it. So this weekend, we went about it by taking out the lowest branches first, as you do, and realised actually it’s very lovely with it’s crown lifted and happily it can stay, if we change the proposed design. Only thing is… it’s very much the wrong time of year for a hard prune of the pittosporum. But it’s done now :-/ Just wondering if I need to worry or if I can get on with my life!

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    There's nothing you can do about it now whether you worry or not. They're pretty tough plants. 😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I'd get on with my life The Little Bird. Far too short to be worrying about pittosporums. It's done and can't be undone. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I have a mature variegated pittosporum that I pruned very hard a few years ago and thought I may have overdone it and the tree would suffer.
    It did sulk for a while, then it sprung back into growth and once again looks lovely.
    I don't think you need to worry at all

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2022
    It's done now, cross your fingers and admire your topiary skills! Raising the crown in this way can make an enormous difference to your garden.  In a couple of weeks' time, feed it with a few handfuls of blood fish and bone which will start to break down and be available in the soil when your plant ends its dormany period in Spring.  I'd give it some extra water too for a few weeks if we don't get any rain.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Our largest Pittosporum (about 7ft high) has had its crown lifted, and is essentially a standard tree.  They do look very good with a single trunk.
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