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Wounded Pyracantha

We have a well established Pyracantha Coccinea but it has a nasty open wound at the elbow on the main branch. We are looking to relocate it soon but we’re concerned about this weak point. What’s the best way to repair/treat this? We’ve noticed wood lice are now burrowing in it. 
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  • MedviewMedview Posts: 13
    Apologies for the sideways pictures! 😅
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It looks like quite a large plant to be relocating. I think I would cut it right back before moving it and then let it regrow from the new growth that's appearing low down, which would also get rid of the damaged area. Wait and see what others think though, before taking drastic action.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • @Medview
    As JennyJ says, it is a large plant to relocate. I know this sounds harsh, but would it not be easier to put an entirely new pyracantha in the new location, and remove the damaged and weakened plant completely?

    I can't imagine it will be easy to relocate without damaging the root system anyway. 
  • MedviewMedview Posts: 13
    Thank you everyone for comments so far. If we don’t end up moving it what about the wound on the elbow? 
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    The sideways photos are a glitch in the system. Crop the pictures slightly and the problem goes.


    Rutland, England
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I would still cut it back just above the new growth at the base. To me it looks ungainly leaning over like that, aside from the damaged area that could let in disease.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'd have to cut it right back beyond that 'elbow' and there isn't much new growth below that, so it could be a while before it recovers - if it does. I'm not sure how well it would transplant, but you have nothing to lose - it's not too bonny the way it is  ;)

    The damage has probably caused that awkward habit, but it's just an entry site for further problems, so it would be best to do something about it sooner rather than later. Or - bin it and plant another one, or something different, depending on your viewpoint and preference  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I don't think it'll die from being hard-pruned, but it might if disease gets into the damaged part. After cutting back, all its energy would go into the new growth. Even so it would take a few years to get back to it's current size but the shape should be better if you can fix whatever caused it to fall over in the first place. I have one that's been cut right back to a few inches more than once for fence maintenance/painting. It's grown back each time.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Agree.  The wound looks old to me but unattractive and a weakness.

    I'd cut my losses and get rid of it and then plant a new one in well-prepared soil come autumn.  You can get the with red, yellow or orange berries tho, in my experience, the orange and yellow berried plants are less hardy and produce fewer berries - tho i was gardening in an expsoed sight right in line of a former beast-from-the-east.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • MedviewMedview Posts: 13
    Thanks everyone. We really dont want to get rid just from a sustainability and cost standpoint.

    Yes it is a strange shape but the idea was to use the shape to our advantage as we wanted it to angle over a low level fence and become a corner feature. We also want to remove the horrible concrete coal box that it’s grown into! 😄

    I will update with the move if we do it. 

    Thanks again 
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