Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Can this be cut back ?

markhchivers08188markhchivers08188 Posts: 7
in Garden design
Hi all, what is the name of this tree ? Google is saying HAZELNUT !
Id like to cut it back so it does not protrude over the wall.
Is this achievable or can it only be trimmed slightly ?

Thank you

Mark

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Yes, it is a Corkscrew Hazel.

    It can be cut back as much as you like, it will grow again.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2023
    I agree with @punkdoc … but I would wait until it’s leaves have dropped in the winter .., then you can see the marvellous contorted shapes of the stems which are the reason it is grown. You can then select which of the stems to remove to show it at its elegant best, rather than just clip it back like a hedge and turn it into a blob, which I have seen done 😢 

    If yiu look at pictures of this shrub online you’ll get some ideas of how wonderful it can look when treated well, and that’ll give you an idea of what to do. 

     

    I would add that as it grows in ‘corkscrews’ it does increase in size only very slowly … so don’t expect it to replace pruned stems as quickly as an ordinary hazel does. 

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





  • markhchivers08188markhchivers08188 Posts: 7
    Thank you !
    Ill wait until the leaves fall and try to ‘sculpt it’ the best I can. It is lovely and will look nice as a backdrop behind the wall rather than dropping onto it (I think!).

    Thanks again :)

    Mark
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @markhchivers08188 chivers If you can get underneath[goggles required] and remove all the spindly low growth. Work your way round ensuring you are working to the same height. This will lift the canopy and you will have something far more pleasing. You will be able to take a good look at the main branches and see their shapes. Do take your time as you can leave large gaps, perhaps follow back each stem to a main branch.
    If you can stand back and check progress as you go.  Needs doing annually but you should have room underneath to plant a few snowdrops or cyclamen.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Sign In or Register to comment.