What to know
Pittosporum is a versatile evergreen plant shrub that adds beauty and privacy to any landscape . However , to maintain itsoptimal healthand appearance , regular pruningis essential . Thiscomprehensive guidewill provide you with all the knowledge and techniques you call for to prune your pittosporum like a professional .
Why Prune Pittosporum?
Pruning pittosporum offers several benefits , including :
When to Prune Pittosporum
The optimal sentence toprune pittosporum dependson thespecific varietyand your desired outcome . Generally , there are two main pruning seasons :
Tools You’ll Need
Before youbegin pruning , cumulate the necessary tools :
Step-by-Step Pruning Guide
1. Remove Dead, Diseased, or Damaged Branches
start out by identify any dead , morbid , ordamaged branches . cutting thesebranches backto the main stem or ahealthy lateral branchusing pruning shears or loppers .
2. Shape the Canopy
Usepruning shearsto lop back any overgrown orleggy arm . This will help create a more compact and balanced shape . For hedge , use hedgerow trimmers to snip the sides and top to accomplish adesired heightand width .
3. Control Size and Height
If you need to control the size of it or height of the pittosporum , make deletion atstrategic pointsto redirect ontogeny . For example , to reduce altitude , cut back thetallest branchesto a low-spirited sidelong arm .
4. Thin the Interior
Toimprove air circulationandsunlight penetration , thin out out the interior of the shrub by removing some of the small , inner branches .
5. Remove Suckers and Water Sprouts
Suckers are shoot that spring up from the base of the plant , whilewater sproutsare tight - growing , perpendicular shoot that uprise from themain branches . transfer these to maintain the desired shape and preclude overcrowding .
6. Clean Up
After pruning , clean up any rubble and dispose of it the right way . This will foreclose the spread of disease and improve the overall show of your landscape painting .
Pittosporum Pruning Techniques
Hedge Pruning
Forformal hedges , usehedge trimmersto lop the sides and top to achieve adesired heightand width . preserve a straight or slightly rounded physical body for a classical looking at .
Espalier Pruning
Espaliering is a technique where pittosporum is trained togrow flatagainst a wall or treillage . Usepruning shearsto shape and train the branch along the desired support structure .
Topiary Pruning
Topiary is the art ofshaping plantsinto specific configuration or figures . Pittosporum is a popular selection fortopiary dueto itsdense foliageand power to hold its shape . employ pruning shear to carefully shape the plant into the desired form .
Final Note
Pruning pittosporum is anessential taskfor maintaining its health , appearance , and desire size and form . By pursue thetechniques outlinedin this usher , you canconfidently pruneyour pittosporum to achieve optimum results . recall to use sharp tools , prune at the right-hand time of year , and clean house up after pruning to guarantee a sound and beautiful landscape painting .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : How often should I cut my pittosporum?A : Prune your pittosporum once or twice a year , depending on thedesired outcomeand growth rate . Q : Can Iprune pittosporumin the fall or winter?A : It ’s generally not recommend toprune pittosporumin the declivity or winter , as the plant is dormant and may not retrieve as well . Q : What should I do with the pruned branches?A : Dispose ofpruned branchesby compost them or chipping them for use as mulch . Do notburn rationalise branches , as this can bring out harmful toxins . Q : How do I prune a pittosporum hedge?A : Usehedge trimmersto dress the sides and top of the hedge to achieve adesired heightand width . Maintain a neat orslightly polish shapefor a Greco-Roman look . Q : Can I utilize a chainsaw to prune pittosporum?A : Chainsaws are not recommended forpruning pittosporum , as they can causeexcessive damageto the plant . Usepruning shearsor pruner rather .