When/how to prune this holly?

[spandit]

There's a multistemmed holly tree on the edge of my property. It was being completely swamped by a willow that was growing through it/fallen onto it. I've removed the willow but the holly now is lacking some support and is drooping like a weeping willow. Some of the stems are rotten.

 

Considering it's evergreen, when is best to prune it and how aggressively? Can holly take a beating?

 

[nepia]

You could cut that off at the ground at any time and it would come back; they're nigh on indestructible.  Don't be shy.  I wouldn't even be concerned about a spell of hot dry weather after a hard prune; their roots run so deep

[Dan Maynard]

1 hour ago, spandit said:

Can holly take a beating?

Yes, although sprouts and ends up a weird shape so often difficult to do anything nice on a reduction. End up hedge trimming into a ball.

 

Maybe ground level and start again.

[Will C]

Flat pack it, it will be fine. Unfortunately it will be bloody spikey to stop it being eaten again!

[spandit]

21 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

Yes, although sprouts and ends up a weird shape so often difficult to do anything nice on a reduction. End up hedge trimming into a ball.

 

Maybe ground level and start again.

 

It was a weird shape to begin with. Left one straight vertical stem which I'm hoping will thicken up

[spandit]

18 hours ago, Will C said:

Flat pack it, it will be fine. Unfortunately it will be bloody spikey to stop it being eaten again!

 

It's on the boundary so good for hedging

[spandit]

21 hours ago, nepia said:

You could cut that off at the ground at any time and it would come back; they're nigh on indestructible.  Don't be shy.  I wouldn't even be concerned about a spell of hot dry weather after a hard prune; their roots run so deep

 

Well we'll see if you're right 😃