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Portuguese Laurel

porthallowporthallow Posts: 2
in Problem solving

We have inherited a huge Portuguese Laurel, 7m spread by 7m high or bigger! it shades the majority of the garden and is destined for the big chop to tame it but keep it as a specimen, any thoughts? we think a crown raise will reduce its dominance , but we would welcome any suggestions. it is thriving in south east cornwall in a humid sheltered microclimate.

Posts

  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,142

    We have / had a similar size specimen which was out of control on our boundary. I had it reduced by the tree surgeons when they were here for other work to get it to a more manageable size. I now prune it a couple of times a year. Each pruning initiates a real flush of growth so you need to keep on top of it once you start. I won't do mine again till next summer as I've experienced frost damage to the new growth when I've pruned it in the past. 

  • porthallowporthallow Posts: 2

    image This is the tree we are talking about, outer tree surgeons are starting tomorrow to rip out 40m of leylandii the PL is priced for removal or crown raise, if Dave has a pic of the pruned result it would be good to see want we could make of our monster. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,127

    Could they not just give it a good overall prune instead porthallow? It's a really nice specimen as it is, and a crown lift would be what it's had previously by the look of it,  but if it's too big for what you want, I'm sure they could alter the pruning to make it more manageable for you. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,912

    I love it and am a bit envious ... a gorgeous shady place beneath it for mosses and ferns and other shade lovers ... Magical ... A bit Magic Faraway Tree image  I think it just needs regular maintenance. 


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





  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,142

    Hopefully you got the link to the thread Steve. My Portuguese Laurel was an overgrown hedge.

    Below are the before and after. You can be very aggressive with the pruning as they will regrow quickly (not this time of year of course). I like the look of yours. 

    image

    image

    Last edited: 08 November 2017 09:05:14

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