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Training shrubs into small 'trees'.

madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
in Plants
I have a Griselinia and an Elaeagnus both at present being grown and pruned as shrubs.
I am thinking about letting them grow taller so they are more like a small tree,mainly to give height to the garden.
Have seen some neglected and unpruned ones in gardens and they always look good to me!
The Griselinia is about 15 years old and is about 2ft from my house wall.
The Elaeagnus is around 30 years old (10 in a pot and 20 in its current position).
Would the current root structure change much if I let them grow taller or could they undermine the house?
What do you think?


“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Eleagnus can get to 4m if left to grow but you'd need to think about the shape and maybe lift the crown to make it more tree-like or pruning it as a column if you want it to get taller as it would just become a deep, dark blob if left unshaped. 

    Ditto grisellinia which can also get to several metres high if left.  You could try training it sideways along that wall.  It's often grown as a hedge next to walls and pavements so I don't think it will undermine your house walls.


    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
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've no experience of Griselinina, but the Eleagnus will be multi stemmed, so it would be difficult to change that to a single trunk. Leaving it as a multi stemmed specimen should be fine, by removing thinner, flimsier side branches lower down, to leave the heavier trunks clear, and thereby lifting the crown as @Obelixx says.  :)

    I wouldn't worry about foundations either. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    edited August 2023
    I think it was the foundations I was most worried about really,but that seems to be something not to fret over.
    Both shrubs would have to be multi-stemmed so it seems to be a case of raising the crown mostly and taking off unwanted shoots lower down.
    This year (and next?) I think I will just not prune the top so I can get some height going and then just shape lower down as I go!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited August 2023
    Sound like a plan @madpenguin but keep an eye on shape as the tops grow.   Any time between now and end December is a good time to start removing lower branches.  Left any later the wounds risk bleeding sap and weakening your shrubs/trees.
    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
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Elaeagnus .
    It is possible, but I suspect only if you start with a single trunk.
    The ones below have been done by experts.
    Top grafted maybe?

    https://www.architecturalplants.com/product/elaeagnus-x-ebbingei/

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I have a lot of  Griselinia growing in my garden, both as hedging and as specimen shrubs.  They can be easily pruned into various shapes or left to be free growing into tree like proportions.  They seem to be quite shallow rooted from my excavations around them!  They are one of my favourite shrubs, a very attractive green which keeps your garden looking alive in winter!  Yours will fill that space nicely without causing any harm @madpenguin.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Songbird-2Songbird-2 Posts: 2,349
    edited August 2023
    We have a Griselinia just outside our front window ( for privacy). . I have started to shape it this year after it being in the ground about three /four years unpruned. . They are shallow rooted so no worries about the roots encroaching into the house foundations. We have two more in the back garden and have grown them for years at our previous house. 
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I am reassured now about roots and foundations!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • PoppypussPoppypuss Posts: 143
    @madpenguin I love your display of succulents! 
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Poppypuss said:
    @madpenguin I love your display of succulents! 
    Thank you!
    Outside they are all named Sempervivum and indoors I have a collection of various plants.
    Succulents are my passion!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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