Can Norway spruce be trimmed?
Norway spruce is considered a relatively shade-tolerant species, and its branches are long lived, with moderate-to-low self-pruning ability (e.g. Nicolescu, 1999).
Can you cut the top of a Norway spruce tree?
New prune spruce branches back into nude areas where no needles grow. New tip buds will only rejuvenate from pruning cuts made on areas of branches that are cloaked in needles. Never “top” a Norway spruce. “Topping” is the harsh, blunt removal of the upper leader or general upper tip of the tree.
Can you keep a Norway spruce short?
If you just want to shape your dwarf spruce, or if your tree is young and you want to trim it to keep it small, then you can prune with a good amount of success. Taking care not to cut into the dead zone, cut back any branches that extend beyond the tree’s conical shape. Remove ½ to 1 inch (up to 2.5 cm.)
Can you cut the bottom branches of a spruce tree?
Spruce, fir, and whorl-branched trees and shrubs that have short, sharp needles can be trimmed all the way back to a lateral branch or dormant bud; dead bottom branches should be removed. Though you can hold off a little longer with these trees, it’s best to cut in cold weather so that they “bleed” less sap.
What happens when you cut off the top of a spruce tree?
This is why spruce trees have that pyramidal shape and are not more rounded or decurrent. By topping evergreen trees, it will destroy the apical dominance of the plant and result in growing more round than tall with a misshaped top.
What happens if you cut the top of a spruce tree?
How do you stop a spruce tree from growing taller?
Spray or brush a sucker growth inhibitor onto the stub of the original lead stem to keep it from forming any forked growth. Trim the tree’s new growth each year to keep it from spreading outward over time. Use the loppers or tree trimmers to make the cuts.
How do you trim the bottom of an evergreen tree?
Although spruces need very little pruning, bottom branches may die with age and can be removed. For a formal shape, prune new growth in the spring. Shear in late spring, after new growth has expanded. To reduce the size of a branch, cut back to a lateral branch or a visible dormant bud.
Can a spruce tree be trimmed?