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Willows, poplars, Russian olives, and some other softwoods can be headed clear back to their main stems, where they will bush out. This is called "pollarding" and is commonly done for decorative effect. Small species which flower early are best pruned after petal-fall. This gives them time to form new flower buds for next year. It holds good for shadblow, redbud, dogwood, fringe tree, hawthorn, magnolia, sorrel (sourwood), and mountain ash. Locusts are an example of trees that flower late and can be pruned in dormancy or after. Since they tend to spindle up and die in the tops, it is well to head back locusts—but not honey locusts—when young. In heading or topping any tree make a slanting cut, to promote healing and shed water. Gardenias and camellias can be kept under control just by cutting their blossoms. But your poinsettias will sprawl up out of hand if you fail to whittle them back two or three times between flowering and early autumn. |
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