Scrappy trees. What would you do here? 2 apple trees and a holly.

a1154 · December 2023

It would be nice if I could cut the Holly about halfway where the main trunk splits, but I’m sure it will look a mess with the pendulous nature of the lower branches. I will have a go.

I’ll take off anything dead and trim the apples in spring, then reassess. The larger one has overextended itself, because of the Russian vine, it may take some time to get it in shape, but I still like it.

Lyn · December 2023

Dovefromabove said:

I’ve known mature hollies to bounce back and regrow into nice thick shrubs from being cut right down almost to ground level.

I agree, Wherever you cut them down too, that’s where they’ll shoot out from, if you want a nice bush to start again with, cut back hard.

Dovefromabove · December 2023

I’d cut down to 18” from soil level. 😊

a1154 · December 2023

Ooo very drastic. Thanks, I’ll consider that.

Dovefromabove · December 2023

That way you’ll get lots of young whippy-type growth from the bole … you can tie the first generation of this growth to train it into a cone-type shape and then as it grows you’ll have a good framework to clip to.

a1154 · December 2023

It’s certainly an idea as I was worried about the shape of it after topping.

Lyn · December 2023

That’s just what we did @Dovefromabove it will shoot out along the trunk and from the top. If you cut it any higher, you’ll still have a bare bit at the bottom.

Scrappy trees. What would you do here? 2 apple trees and a holly.

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