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Flamingo tree

ritahealritaheal Posts: 17
in Problem solving
My flamingo tree is so large now and has long stems would I be able to trim these back now at end of September until I can give it a good cut in early spring 

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  • ritahealritaheal Posts: 17
    Hi forgot to say I live in Hertford hertfordshire 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Do you have salix "flamingo" or cedrela (aka toona) siniensis "flamingo"?
    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
  • ritahealritaheal Posts: 17
    Hi yes it’s a Salix tree planted in garden not in a pot
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    OK.  Normally the advice is not to prune these small trees as it's so easy to ruin their natural shape.  The expected height and spread is 2.5 metres so maybe it's in the wrong place or has too many other plants crowding it so you could maybe consider moving it once it's dormant or move some of the competition.

    If you must prune it, wait till it's dormant and consider removing back to their base just one in 3 stems.  That will thin it andmake it less dense when foliage returns next spring.  If you still think it's too much, then try shortening the remaining stems but not by too much and being careful to maintain its overall shape as you may end up with a lollipop effect.

    See here for more info - https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/66597/salix-integra-hakuro-nishiki-(v)/details 
    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
  • ritahealritaheal Posts: 17
    Thank you for that I can’t move it it’s to big,when I trim it later can I trim it quite hard as it losing shape it has grown so massive but I don’t want to ruin it or lose it it’s in the front garden in middle of lawn with no other plants I hope this helps you thank you again for all your help
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited September 2023
    Start by doing as I've suggested - removing every third stem back to the base to thin it.  Then take tips out, if needed, to balance it.

    After that you'll just have to stand back, assess it and trim some more if needed.
    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
  • ritahealritaheal Posts: 17
    Thank you so much for that and you’ve been a great help 
  • ritahealritaheal Posts: 17
    Hi my flamingo tree has got very large I need to trim into more of a ball shape can I do this in February 
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