Is this broken photonia salvageable?

IronSquirrel

This was from storm Eunice, about a month ago. Two photonias are like this.

I'm just wondering if a careful sawing off of the damaged end will save it.

Second question: since these trees were only planted in last year, surely the root ball won't be that big? It's just that my friend has talked to several gardeners and they've quoted over £300/400 for removing the roots.

This ludicrous ?

JennyJ

It'll probably grow back from below the break, but it would take a long time to get it back to the trained pleached shape that it had. If you want to try, cut it off cleanly below the break. I don't think you can save the top section.

If you want to take it out, the price you've been quoted sounds a lot to me, but maybe it includes the cost of disposal. You could just take it to the tip but companies have to pay I think. It would only be challenging if the roots have grown underneath the paving/edging.

Plantminded

It should rebud once you cut off the damaged top section cleanly.  However, if you have more than two of these damaged plants, their new height won't synchronise with the others!  You are right in assuming that the rootball will be easy to remove - I'd chop the damaged foliage and branches into small pieces and put them in the brown waste recycling bin (or equivalent in your area), plus add the rootball after you've shaken off all the soil.  Very disappointing for you!

Fairygirl

Ludicrous indeed. They would be easy enough to remove yourself, or with another person to help you.
Also easy enough to chop up and dispose of in your garden waste bin if you have one, as said. Or chop and add to the ordinary bin if you have no other option - ie your own compost bin. 

GardenerSuze

@IronSquirrel Photinias that have been trained in a fan are beautiful but it is not what this shrub naturally wants to do, with natural growth at the bottom it is not so top heavy. I think Mother nature is letting us know in more ways than one. 

Guess there is something up above you wish to screen but now I think you are going to struggle for some time. Cut back cleanly I think it will survive as mentioned .It is not what you wanted but is there room to grow it as a shrub? It can be pruned to shape.
By the way I love your old wall a great feature.


































 

IronSquirrel

It's my friends, and one of those 'historical features' that make the house price valuations shoot up.

The middle photonia has survived, fan and all, and one thing he's considering is finding a buyer if it can be done. 

JennyJ

Those fans trained on the wood framework above the wall act like sails in windy weather. For the one that survived, it might be worth seeing if there's some way of fixing the framework firmly to the wall, not just sticking up above it on a single stake.

Fairygirl

I agree @JennyJ -it's the same with any top heavy shrub or tree. 
A couple of battens onto the wall and the branches and/or frame tied in to vine eyes on that, would probably help.