Reclaiming Old Shrubs and Small Trees

To create this transformation, you need only a small pruning saw, loppers, a pair of hand shears and a bit of patience and skill.

That overgrown shrub that dominates your landscape or blocks your view can be turned into a useful and attractive small tree. Often, old, lack-luster shrubs can be reclaimed by selective pruning. Such plants include ligustrum, camellias, sasanquas, Burford hollies, pittosporums, photinias and Japanese yew.

Is it worth the effort?

Determine whether the plant is worthy of such treatment, that is, be sure you like it where it is. A large shrub near a patio would be more useful as a small shade tree, for instance. A big shrub may be completely shading an important part of your house… with wise pruning you can turn it into a much looser, more open form that you can see through.

After you've decided that the plant is worth keeping and after you've decided it's in the right place, it's time to you to work on it.

Begin here…

• First, remove all the dead wood and the small, non-essential branches from the center of the plant.
• Gradually reduce the center until it's acceptable. In many cases this will mean cutting out several large trunks.
• Never shear the plant across the top, always remove branches and trunks from within the plant so that you open it up without destroying the natural form of the plant.
• It may be a good idea to make a few cuts, then step back and look at the results. It may even be necessary to do the pruning over several days so you'll have time to evaluate your work.
• Paint all the cuts that are more than one and a half inches with a tree surgery material.
• After the plant has been reclaimed to your satisfaction, then study the plant bed it's in to determine whether you need a ground cover or other planting.

For more information about reclaiming old shrubs and trees; contact your local County Extension Office.