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how-to-prune-a-giant-bay-tree
Hi,
We have a very large bay tree with multiple stems - photo below.
We intend on building a large shed in the vicinity and will need to cut this back. Also I think a tidy up would improve it as it is stragly the top growth does not look to healthy.
Any suggestions on technique/when to undertake this task would be appreciated.
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I like the last idea wb, I've got one of these to deal with as well.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks waterbutts,
Is there a good time of year for such activity or are they happy what ever the weather?
Late spring's best for pruning a tree. If you're looking to remove a substantial amount, best to do it over a couple of seasons. They grow like weeds here and are just about impossible to destroy when very young. Later, though, with some size, they don't react well to heavy pruning in one hit.
I can never find the right time for my bay, it's not been touched for years and is blocking the view from the landing window. Late spring is good for the bay but not for the birds, they think it's a block of flats. If I do it now there may be young regrowth that won't stand the winter. If I do it in winter I'm sure I'll upset it. So it's still growing.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Italophile - WHAT IS YOUR PICTURE???? I keep looking at it, but really can't make it out! I just hope it's nothing rude!
DJ, it's my dear departed and much missed Old English Sheepdog, Dermott, eating. Here it is in full size:
He'd just had a haircut. Apart from his head.
Shed should be going up late winter, however I have taken a rumage into the foliage - not an easy task due to rose bush and brambles- however it appears to me that atground level there is one very large thick trunk (12"+) plus there are dozens of small branches/stems coming up from the ground. I could probably thin these out without any ill effect on the main plant & then tackle the rest over several years to bring back into a reasonable and healthy shape.
I too have to consider the birds or in this case a pair or robins, they don't tolerate any other occupants and have the whole tree to themselves.
Thanks for the tips.
You could easily take out those overgrown suckers without any problems, Briggsy.
That's what I thought. Up to a couple of meters the bulk of the foliage is from these. which should give us the clearance we need for the shed. The rose will just have to start again as it is growing through this to get to the main tree. Guess we can't have everything!
How hard can I prune back my bay tree-it is more of an enormous bush than a tree but it has taken over a large part of my patio now completely blocking a raised bed that I cannot plant in at the moment-it is so healthy I love using the leaves for cooking etc but want to get it back into shape-am worried if I prune too hard I will lose it.