18ft Holly Tree which needs pruning
lizziec1988
Posts: 74
in Plants
does anyone have any thoughts on what I can do with this holly tree which is becoming very large? It blocks next door a little which 
is useful but they only have one barhroom window facing us so it's size isn't really necessary. It's quite out of proportion to the other trees in the garden (which are mainly all fruit trees)
all thoughta welcome
0
Posts
HOLLY TREES DON’T RESPOND WELL TO MAJOR PRUNING. THEY OFTEN SULK AND, WHEN THEY DO GROW BACK, THEY ADOPT UNUSUAL AND NOT ALWAYS ATTRACTIVE SHAPES.
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CUT SOME OFF I WOULD GET A TREE SURGEON IN TO DO THE JOB PROFESSIONALLY.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
I would agree with pf. It's a horrible, prickly job!
II would want to use a pole trimmer on that plus a tripod or platform ladder. I wouldn't run to a tree surgeon though. A decent garden contractor will be cheaper and get the job done properly.
A crown reduction, by 30-40% all round should work really well.
The shape of the tree looks great already. If you are able to do it, you should just try to thin out branches between the tiers. It's quite a servere cut to the main trunk, but it will allow more space between branches. I have seen this done successfully on many Hollies trained like a tree shape, and it has created a much more airy feel rather than having a mass of leaves.
We had our tall holly tree pruned about 15 years ago, and although it was a shock to see it cut back, the tree now looks thicker and denser than ever and the birds love it and so do we!
I would suggest that you have it cut as glasgowdan has suggested - all around by 30-40% or at least have the top meter or two taken off which should thicken the rest of the branches - it is a little spindly looking at the top now.
Did you do it yourself?
No, we didn't cut it ourselves lizziec1988- the holly tree was far too tall for our ladders. We got a couple of men in to do the job. It took them two or three hours. It was worth the money and in the great scheme of things it saved us time - broken limbs, plus the men knew exactly what they were doing.
It would have taken us days (if our ladders had been tall enough) and we aren't too hot on pruning either. We put our faith in these men who had pruned many hundreds of trees over the years and they did any excellent job for us.