Norway spruce

 


Hello. Four years ago I planted a christmas tree in the garden. At the
time it
was 6ft tall, it has now reached around 12ft.

If I cut the top six feet off the tree, will it recover?

Many thanks




--
billwilliams

 

On Nov 27, 1:38 am, billwilliams <billwilliams.
5859...@gardenbanter.co.uk> wrote:

It will likely live, at least for awhile, but it will look like c**p!
Conifers that are topped  - and removing the top half of a tree is
considered 'topping' - develop awkward growth habits that can seldom
be corrected. They are also more prone to disease and insect issues
when they suffer this type of abuse. If you were attempting to keep it
small - "hedged" - you needed to start this process immediately after
planting, removing any new growth and keeping the leader trimmed back.
What you are proposing now is too radical a method and would
jeopardize the long term health of the tree. If it is too big for its
current location consider transplanting or removal rather than
whacking it in half. You'll not be happy with the result.

 

As a flat top tree.  A carrier for birds?

 

billwilliams wrote:

A Chanukah bush... circumcised! LOL

If you cut it, within a year it will send up a new leader and in four
years will be 12' tall again... only it likely won't look very
symetrical.

Didn't you know that a Norway spruce can easily and quickly attain a
height of 70' X 30' wide and more.   Spruce can be pruned of half its
growth each year to keep it more compact but at 12' it's a bit late
now.

Have it removed and plant something that won't grow larger than you
want and/or have space.  There are many varieties of spruce and other
conefirs that are suitable for holiday decorating that grow very
slowly and don't grow very large.

I planted a Fat Albert to decorate for the holidays.  It should attain
a height of 25' and I have the space but it is very slow growing, I
seriously doubt I'll be here by then.

My Fat Albert was just under 6' when I planted it nearly two years
ago, it's a bit over 6' now... those trees in the background are all
Norway spruce:
http://i49.tinypic.com/116oz6t.jpg

Check for examples of various conefirs here:
http://www.iseli-nursery.com/photopages/PiceapungensFatAlbert.htm

 

On Nov 27, 4:38 am, billwilliams <billwilliams.
5859...@gardenbanter.co.uk> wrote:

Tallest branches suppress growth of lower ones by
production of hormones at tip meristem.  Topping
thus removes growth suppressant hormones.  What's
left of the tree grows back in bushier form, likely
not what you had in mind.  To preserve the conical
shape, trim *all* branches back, preferrably no more
than 1/3 of branch length each.