Large Scale Central

Pruning a few new trees

I picked up 3 1 gallon Dwarf Albert Spruce and one 2 gallon Arborvitae trees at a good price (for here) a few weeks ago . This weekend they got pruned in preparation for planting.

Here’s the Before picture of a Spruce…

After 1…

And After 2…

And the Arborvitae after trimming…

Now I just need to figure out where to plant them.

Jon,

I trim our dwarf alberta spruce up from the bottom a few inches too. Helps deter the spider mites and adds a big redwood forrest look.

Are you also thinking about leaving 1/2 to pot on to reduce the lateral root growth? It seems to keep the tree narrower and slow the growth. If so, make sure the top rim of the pot is at ground level, leaving the bottem of the root open to the ground.

Jane

Thanks Jane. I randomly thin all the way around too and remove all of the needles from the trunk and beginnings of each branch to give a more open look.

I’ve not tried the 1/2 pot trick. So you cut off the bottom half of the pot? Sounds easy enough. I might try that. These have not gone in the ground yet.

My railroad is mostly in shade so the shrubs all grow very slowly. I have on that’s in season 4 this year and is still under 3 feet and others the same age under two feet.

Hey - I just noticed that was your first post under your own log-in. Welcome!

Jon, cut the bottom inch or so around the pot, and totally remove the bottom, then plant the alberta spruce… It stunts the height growth of the spruce…

Thanks for the welcome Jon,

At least the dwarf alberta will handle the shade ok. Ours is still 98% sun. Some of ours are 6-7 years old now, and getting some heighth, so time to trim out the top too. Jan Golding has been trimming out the tops for years. The ones I have done seem to do fine, so it works.

I found some perennials that I had not seen before too:

Siberian wallflower with tiny yellow flowers

October Daphne, a full sun sedum

and

Adriatic Bellflower, called Dickson’s gold is sun or part shade.

Welcome Mom!

Welcome aboard Jane !

Here is some pics of my forest!

(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/DSCN1257640x480.jpg)

(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/DSCN1247640x480.jpg)

They did start out like John’s.

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Post3/TreeTrim2013-01.JPG)

I have some dwarf alberta spruces that are over 13 years old. Besides just keeping them from growing too big, I clean out the branches close to the trunk, I believe it helps keep the spider mites away.

The two boxwoods in front have been trimmed for the first time this year. Obviously, the two boxwoods in back have not. Lot more trees to trim.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jgolding/130505%20j%20003.JPG)

Jan - Your Boxwoods look great. I can’t seem to get them to not look spindly after the first year. I have quite a few and they grow well, but I haven’t been happy with the shape. Maybe I’m not cutting them back far enough? I’ve been afraid if killing them. I’ll grab a few pics this afternoon so you can see what I mean and tell my what I am doing wrong :slight_smile:

Jan the boxwoods look great. I might have to have you do some work on mine when you come in July :wink:

Shawn,

Jane is Andy’s wife. Jan is my partner, wife and best friend. Shorter name, shorter person. Even the people in our own club, always get them mixed up. Both of them are excellent gardener’s and can really make the plants grow and flourish. They have given many classes at our club meetings and clinics at the Carlyle Winter Meet.

I don’t think you’ll have any trouble convincing Jan to rework a boxwood or two, while we are at your place.

Man, I’m getting excited about our Summer travels. Its time to “get out of Dodge”.

Lol I fixed it Ric. Its a good thing last names are used. Then I would have been really confused. :wink: