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Olearia traversii renovation

nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
in Problem solving
A while back I posted for an ID on this:

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1078132/tree-id-ake-ake-tree#latest

So I think we came to the conclusion it was a Olearia traversii. Since then the wind has taken a large par of it away, and now the shape is very ungainly indeed. 

I am wondering if now is the time for a hard prune, and if it would take it. Reluctantly I think I need to start again judging by the looks of it. 

Any thought/opinions or ideas? They would be very gratefully received :)




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Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'd get rid of it and start again with a plant you really like. Life's too short to put up with ugly, ungainly old shrubs past their best IMO.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    @Lizzie27 I don't broadly disagree with you - though that might be a 'next year job', given finances,  as I think i'd ideally be looking for something more architectural/having some height as that will suit the spot. Maybe a smaller tree.

    Possibly in the meantime it might be worth me taking it down just to see?

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @nickoslesteros, would it be possible please to post a couple more pictures from a bit further away and from the other side so we can see how much it is leaning and what else is around it?

    Many thanks. I think it could be pruned down by about one third - one half, depending on what the new pics show.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    @Lizzie27 Certainly. That will be a morning job now as it's far down the garden and the lighting won't reach. I appreciate your thoughts on this 
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    @Lizzie27 hopefully a bit more context here
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    From the front
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited 13 March
    You shouldn't worry about pruning it.. cut back as hard as you like, as it will regrow from old wood.. in fact, you can see in your 2nd to last pic, a shoot is growing from low down on the trunk..

    I've grown Olearia traversii both in Cornwall where it was never cut down, and on the south coast, where a severe winter would prune it almost to the ground.. it grew back in summer..

    One of my favourite evergreens, shrub or tree.  If only it was reliably hardy everywhere it would solve everyone's problems with privacy issues, as it's one of the most rapid growing plants I know of, not far behind Leyland conifers and Eucalyptus for speed of growth, yet never outgrowing its welcome, as they do.  You should treasure it, wish I could have it here but no point chancing it in this location.
    East Anglia, England
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    @Marlorena It's fairly mild where I live on the NW coast, so I guess it has done quite well, but it suffered from (sadly) my neglect past few years. I was also beating in mind what @Lizzie27 suggested and have a couple of proposed ideas to cut back to a low framework - can you see the images where i have marked with a red and blue line which are my two different thoughts. Too much do you think?


  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I would probably cut back to your blue line, about level with the top of your fence, but go lower if that's what you prefer.    I would also cut back the limb leaning over your neighbour's garden.

    Good to see it growing so far north.
    East Anglia, England
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    Thanks! Although it's fairly mild, we go get some winds - and its shaped itself over in the direction of the prevailing Westerlies...

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