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Training this multi stem Amelanchier to fit the space

Ivy2Ivy2 Posts: 73
in Plants
I want this Amelanchier to grow to the height of the wood Cabin and then spread to form a canopy. Any tips? Should I prune the bottom or use a stake and tie any branches that get too close to the cabin to train it? Am a complete novice if this is not clear already.



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  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited April 2023
    Which Amelanchier is it?
    Some are wide spreading trees.
    Others such as Amelanchier alnifolia Obelisk are fastigiate....they only grow tall and  narrow.


    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Is it A Lamarckii bronze foliage in spring? I grow A alnifolia Obelisk flowers not out just yet here.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    As it's already multi stemmed, I think you'll need to let it grow and see how it turns out. It'll take several years to get to around 7, 8 or 9 feet.
    At a later date, you can then remove lower branches, thereby raising the canopy, but I doubt it'll look right. It would have been better to have bought one of the more upright varieties as already suggested. 

    I wondered if it was an Amelanchier @GardenerSuze - the flowers didn't look quite right. The foliage usually appears at around the same time - I can't see any, but it may just be the photo.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Ivy2Ivy2 Posts: 73
    edited April 2023
    This is what it is.




    Ideally I would like a wide canopy. Realise it could be a good few years away.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    @Dovefromabove has a lovely multi-stemmed Amelanchier, I'm sure she will be able to advise you when she tunes in!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Fair enough @Ivy2 - I just wasn't sure from the photo  :)
    I've had multi stemmed and single trunk varieties in various gardens but I really don't think you can change a multi stem shrub easily to create a single trunk shape with a high canopy, unless you had a viable single trunk from the start.
    You can do it the other way round though, by cutting back a single trunk, as they produce stems/branches from low down anyway. They really want to be multi stem shrubs rather than trees.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    My multistemmed Amelanchier lamarckii was about 6’ when it was planted around 7 years ago 
     
    I chose this form because I wanted blooms from top to bottom as a background for small spring bulbs etc. It’ll take quite a few years before it would be at a stage where it would look any good pruned to have bare stems. 

    A single stemmed variety would’ve got there a bit quicker so  I think you’ll have to be very patient … but I’m sure it’ll look lovely eventually. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ivy2Ivy2 Posts: 73
    Thanks. How tall is it now after 7 years? @Dovefromabove it was 6 foot when planted? Is that picture from when it was planted or how it is now?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    That photo was taken last week. 

    This one was taken today … I am 5’6”
     
    Please excuse the washing line 🫢

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    .
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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