Ligustrum , commonly known as privet , are fast - growing bush and small trees popularly used for hedges and screens . Their dense foliage and speedy growth make them ideal for creating privacy and delineate boundaries
However without right pruning ligustrums can promptly become overgrown and unruly . This leaves many homeowner wondering – how far back can you reduce a genus Ligustrum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ?
When to Prune Ligustrum Trees
Ligustrum reply very well to pruning , even stark pruning The good time to prune them is late winter or early spring before new growth emerges . Pruning at this time avoids cutting off new growth and present the plant time to recoup before the originate season
Mid to late summer is another option if the plant needs corrective pruning or shaping . Just avoid crop right before winter since new increment could be damaged by cold weather condition .
How Often to Prune Ligustrum Trees
For worldwide defining and maintaining sizing , prune ligustrum trees 1 - 2 times per year . The first pruning can be in early spring to influence and slenderize out overcrowded branches .
The second pruning is optional in mid to late summer to cut back any excessive new growing . More frequent luminance pruning is fine too for schematic hedges or topiaries .
Severely cutting back ligustrums to restore older plants or reduce size of it only needs doing every 2 - 5 age .
How Much to Cut Back Ligustrum Trees
Now for the primary question – how far back can you cut a ligustrum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ? The dewy-eyed result is you could cut them back as severely as needed , even trimming them all the way to the ground or 6 - 12 in from the basis .
Here are some world-wide guidelines for cutting back genus Ligustrum trees :
For regular maintenance pruning , remove no more than 1/3 of the plant life ’s total height . This helps keep size and form without ball over the flora .
To rejuvenate older , overgrown ligustrums , slew all stems back to 6 - 12 inch from the ground in early springiness . This coarse pruning will stimulate short ton of new growth .
For reshaping or reducing size , cut back master stem turn by 1/2 to 2/3 of their height . The tree will chop-chop regrow .
To tree - form a genus Ligustrum , prune off all lower limb up to the desire canopy tiptop in former saltation over 2 - 3 years .
Pruning Methods for Ligustrum Trees
Use bypass hand trimmer for cutting little halt up to about 1/2 inch heaviness . Loppers are ideal for thicker stems between 1/2 – 1 1/2 inches . And pruning adage make speedy employment of large branch over 1 1/2 inches fatheaded .
Always make white cold shoulder just above an outward facing bud or branch . Avoid leaving stubs which invite pests and diseases .
For conventional hedges , use electric or manual hedge trimmers for even form . Just be careful not to cut too far into one-time wood which can damage the works .
Regrowing Ligustrum Trees After Heavy Pruning
Ligustrums are illustrious for their power to quickly regrow after even the most belligerent pruning . Their debauched development pace helps them force out ton of new shoot within a few week .
Here are some tips for getting your ligustrum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to fill back in nicely after large pruning :
implement a balanced fertiliser at the clip of pruning to fuel regrowth . tiresome release granular fertilizers puzzle out well .
Keep the soil systematically moist , but not impregnate during regrowth . Extra watering is cardinal the first few months .
interest large cut back stems until regrowth is hard enough to indorse itself , usually after several month .
Be patient ! It take 1 - 2 grow seasons for cut back Ligustrum to regain their full size , shape and beauty .
dispatch any suckers or shoot emerging from the root system as call for so energy goes to regrowing the main works .
Avoid Problems from Over-Pruning Ligustrums
It ’s difficult to over - prune ligustrums since they resile back readily even from striking pruning . But here are a few likely issue to keep in brain :
Pruning too belatedly in summer risks new growth being damage by cold atmospheric condition before it hardens off . Stick to early outpouring or mid - summertime pruning .
burn too far into thick , old arm can create wounds that invite disease . Make pruning cut just above young , tenuous branches .
Removing more than 50 % of the total foliage risks stress the plant . It ’s proficient to maintain at least half the leaf when trim .
edit out ligustrums too frequently , such as pruning new emergence throughout the summertime , can result in a thin , leggy appearance .
When to Replace an Overgrown Ligustrum
Occasionally , a ligustrum tree may become so overgrown and ungovernable that even belligerent rejuvenation pruning is n’t practical . magnanimous , old ligustrums with massive trunks do n’t reply as well to major pruning .
In these cases , the best option is to remove and supervene upon the ligustrum with a newfangled , young works . This avoids endeavor to rehabilitate a large , neglected specimen .
sign of the zodiac it ’s time to remove and replace an overgrown ligustrum include :
The base trunk is over 6 inch thick . Thick old tree trunk do n’t re - sprout well .
More than 70 - 80 % of the height needs to be pruned off to regenerate . This much prune peril the plant ’s health .
The Department of the Interior is mostly bare with just a canopy of outer leave of absence . This limits regrowth from privileged branch .
Major limb or the automobile trunk are dilapidate or hollow indicating ripe years and decline .
Growth is minimum and thin each class . The plant miss vigor for regrowth .
For best upshot , always take the total genus Ligustrum tree diagram , roots and all , when supplant . This gives its replacement the best chance to install without competition .
Ligustrum trees are practically bulletproof when it comes to pruning . Feel free to veer them back as severely as needed to control size and rejuvenate overgrown specimens . Just be sure to rationalize at the right times of twelvemonth . With their rapid growth rate , even the most sternly pruned ligustrum will regain its beauty and office in no clip at all .
How to properly prune a ligustrum tree in Florida.
FAQ
Can you keep Ligustrum small ?
How long do Ligustrum trees live ?
How far back can you prune privet ?
How do I bring my Ligustrum back to life ?
