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Bay Tree Hard Prune

ddo101ddo101 Posts: 30
in Plants
Hi.  Looking for some advice.  I've got considerable overhang from a few large bay trees in a neighbour's garden which blocks rainfall from reaching my borders.  I had a tree surgeon by to prune them back but he didn't take them as far as I'd asked (to the fence) as he was concerned to reveal wood.  He's willing to come back so looking for guidance on whether I'm safe to do this, specifically whether they'll ever leaf out again on the side that's pruned quite hard back or if I'll be looking at brown sticks for ever more!  I'm not pleased with the profile he left either, but I'm sure there's a method employed. Appreciate your thoughts!

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,634
    Is your tree surgeon trained and qualified or just a man with tools?

    He should know that laurel can be pruned back hard to almost ground level and it will grow back with vigour.  These can be pruned back vertical to your fence but you must warn your neighbour of your intentions.   Be warned, it will grow back so you'll need to keep it trimmed. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • ddo101ddo101 Posts: 30
    :D NPTC Qualified. I'd advised my neighbour but will probably do so again if we go harder.  Thanks for your quick reply.

  • ddo101ddo101 Posts: 30
    Sharing result of the hard prune.  Leafed back completely (the neighbour took the first one way down last winter), no issues whatsoever.  But yea, needs ongoing maintenance prunes :sweat_smile:
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,542
    good for you for having the courage of your own convictions. 
    Devon.
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