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Pruning

I have a Weeping Silver Birch. About 25 years old that has quite a spread. The tree itself about 12 feet in hight. I am wondering if it would spoil the tree if I cut it well back. Anyone who has similar will know that it sits on the lawn like an upturned tea cup. Empty inside the ring of branches. The Kids love it. 

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,023

    I just cut off the bits that get in the way when mowing on the tractor mower. Otherwise, sorry don't know.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    Don't shorten the branches - it will ruin the shape and look like an old dish mop.  image

    You could lift the crown by taking off some of the lower branches completely at the trunk, but otherwise I'd leave it alone - the beauty of the weeping silver birch is in its shape image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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    Thanks for that -  Busy-Lizzie and Dovefromabove.

     

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