Red Robin from shrub to tree?
Hi,
I found a red robin that has been grown into a 2-3m tree to minimise space lost in the garden whilst providing a high level evergreen screen from neighbours. The trunk is 8-10cm diameter.
Its around £500 plus £140 delivery!
I can find red robin hedge plants that are 2-3 meters for about £100 with free delivery with minimum spend.
Could I buy the hedge plant and chop off all the side branches and end up with a very similar effect without critically injuring it?
Last edited: 03 September 2017 08:10:22
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I would go for it,after all that is how the 'trees' have been made in the first place and they are the same plant!
It may take a bit of time but that is probably what you would be paying for if you bought the high priced ones.
There's no reason why you can't 'lollipop' them or raise their canopy, but bear in mind that buying any shrub at that size brings some difficulty - mainly in getting it established.
A slightly smaller specimen will grow fairly quickly if the conditions are right, will be easier to establish, and will recover better from pruning back of lower branches.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have been trying to get rid of mine!
It was planted by developers too near the road and I had to keep hacking it back.Last year I decided it had to go so cut it off at ground level (digging out not an option).
All this year it has been sending up shoots that I have to keep removing!!
It just doesn't know how to give up!!!!!!!
Last edited: 03 September 2017 12:16:45
Ok great, thanks for the words of support.
It should be much easier to convince my husband now
When we moved in to our garden nine years ago there was a very large photinia bush, taking up a lot of room. Its branches were already thick, but I removed many of the lower ones until I had a tree. It looks lovely now. (I'll try to find a "before" and "after" photo when I get back from holiday.)Go for it - and feed it well afterwards.