STEP BY STEP FORMATIVE PRUNING

STEP BY STEP
FORMATIVE PRUNING

Garden tips from Head Gardener Dave Bouch

Raising a tree's crown encourages top growth and creates an attractive shape. So, here are our garden tips on formative pruning which is good to do in early spring, starting from March.

1 Start by removing lower branches with a handsaw.

2 To ensure a clean cut, it helps to undercut each branch first.

3 For higher branches, use an extendable pole saw - it's much safer than a ladder.

Top traditional techniques

Always make sure you cut hazel branches while in their dormant
phase (December or January is best). If cut too late, they’ll start
growing when put in the soil.

SWEET PEA SUPPORTS

Create attractive structures using just a few hazel branches and twigs.

2 Push the hazel branches into the ground, then tie them together at the top to create a wigwam shape.

3 Thread small hazel branches through the structure to create a 'climbing frame'. Select four previously cut hazel branches and smaller hazel twigs.