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Holly tree

Alex 4Alex 4 Posts: 56
in Problem solving

We have a holly tree - about 20 foot high but too large for this town garden. It has previously been cut into a "tree" shape ie 6 bare trunks for the bottom half with a nicely shaped canopy above. Is there anything I can do to cut it down to a more manageable tree ie 10 foot high max? Am I right in thinking that new growth won't come from the old wood of the trunk?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    Keep the bare trunks and then take out the unwanted top growth being careful to step back and take a look from several angles to check you're keeping the shape.

    I have a holly hedge with a gap at the front where a car skidded on black ice and pirouetted into it taking out 3 of the shrubs.  I have since been training the last one to be a taller lollipop and find it does regularly send out new shoots from the bare stem but they are easily controlled.   Maybe it'll give up as it gets older.

    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
  • Alex 4Alex 4 Posts: 56

    But do you think I could cut off all the top growth down to bare trunks? Would it grow again? Really, it's too high after the tops of the existing trunks. Ideally, I want to cut the trunks down (and all the top growth off completely)  to about 4 foot high and have them grow new leaves and shoots on top of these old trunks. Then I could keep it to about 8 foot high and manage it myself. Does that sound daft?

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    I think it sounds risky but if that's what you want to do, go ahead.   If it doesn't regrow you can plant something more suitable.

    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
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    i think it would regrow. I've been very harsh with hollies, always with success. The only thing to watch is cutting below a graft if there is one



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • rjpringlerjpringle Posts: 35

    imageyou have 6 trunks you can completely cut out 2/3 of the trunks and cut back fresh growth from this year and new growth will come on old trunk and from trunks you completely cut out just cut and let grow what you want to shape your tree but wait till autumn/winter to do this as tree will like this better

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