Q&A - Pruning

Q. I think I may have over pruned my elder tree. I have cut off quite a few fairly large branches. Will the tree produce new shoots in these areas?

A. Elder can be cut back very hard almost to ground level and they will still regrow. In fact this is a good thing to do with old or straggly plants.

Q. I have a Robinia 'Frisia' tree about 3years old, getting tall (nearly out of reach) and spreading too. My garden is only about 30 feet by 20 feet. I would love to keep it manageable. I read somewhere that you can prune in summer. Can you confirm this please, and tell me how and when.

A. It is generally best to prune trees when they are dormant which is usually from late October to March. The same applies to your Robinia which you should cut back to the size required always making sure the cut is just above a leaf bud or branch axil. Make sure the cuts are angled slightly away from the bud/axil so water runs off and use a sharp pair of secateurs or small pruning saw for thicker branches. You will also need a thick pair of gloves for Robinia.

Q. I bought 2 of these plants earlier this year and they have flourished. Can you tell me if I need to prune them for the winter, and if so, how far back to the trunk do I need to clip to.

A. There is no need to prune your Salix unless the branches become too long and touch the ground when you can simply shorten them to the length you require.