Pruning Cedrus altantica 'Glauca'

[Yok Yok]

Afternoon folks.

 

I have been asked to prune a blue cedar of around 7 meters in height.

The customer would like the height reduced due to lack of light in their garden.

I have suggested removing the tree aand replanting but this does not appear to be an option. I am unsure as to whether prunning out the central leader and top branches would be good practice for such a tree. I have spotted the occasional blue cedar with the leaders tastefully removed, but am unsure of the potential future damage this may cause the tree and how aesthetically pleasing the tree still looks.

 

Any advice or prunning techniques would be most welcome.

 

Cheers

[MattJordan]

I think they look pretty neat when shaped/reduced all over, never noticed the top looking un-attractive. Not really sure how they respond to reduction cuts, I imagine they respond relatively well as the regrowth on lateral branches is fairly vigorous. hope this helps mate.

[daveindales]

Alnus - blue cedar ????

[Yok Yok]

Opps I appear to have muddled my trees. That'll learn me!

How do you edit on this darn page?

The tree in question is the very distinctive Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'

Edited October 22, 2009 by Yok Yok

[daveindales]

If it's only 7m, and causing a light problem already, it's going to cause them a lot of work in the future. You said the right thing. Removing it would be best. If leader is removed, some of the lateral branches will only take over and the tree will look unnatural

[Andy Collins]

Opps I appear to have muddled my trees. That'll learn me!

How do you edit on this darn page?

The tree in question is the very distinctive Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'

 

Sorted mate:thumbup1:

[Mesterh]

Depends really on how much it needs to be reduced by to sort out the light problem.

 

You can get a quite nice shape on them as long as it isnt getting cut in half.

[Yok Yok]

Thanks for your comments so far.

Has anyone else experience of reducing a blue cedars height and overall shape?

[Mesterh]

Thanks for your comments so far.

Has anyone else experience of reducing a blue cedars height and overall shape?

 

Yep me

 

We have one thats get re pruned every year or so. Its only about 20 foot but they want to keep it at that.

 

Doesnt always need every branch pruning, just try to prune back the ones that have started to shoot out a bit.

[gmanntpo]

Sounds like the client wants you to 'top' it...

 

Nevertheless, you have given the best advice to your client, so go for the miniumum crown reduction work...

 

Perhaps crown lifting may help.. At the end of the day, if it needs severe pruning, its the wrong tree in the wrong place, but you have already advised that.

 

Better a pro like you does it than a 'lop & top' cowboy..