On Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:57:36 +0100, "Fat Freddy's Cat"
wrote:

Hi,

about 5 years ago we purchased a small, potted (3ft) fir tree which
decorated our front garden and we put lights on at Xmas.

We have since moved house and brought this tree with us which we removed
from the pot and planted in the garden. It has since grown approx 12-18"
each year and is now approaching 7 feet tall. It has taken a definite spurt
in growth since we took it out the pot which has taken us by surprise and in
its current position, we don't want it to grow much taller.

Is there anything we can do to stop it growing without killing the tree? Can
we snip off the single top growth (which is already showing buds where new
side shoos etc are due to split off?

I've no idea what species it is other than to say the pins are soft to the
touch and very tightly packed on the stem, For a fir tree it has a nice
touch rather than jaggy.

It sounds very like a traditional Christmas tree, usually Norway
Spruce.
If you cut the top you will get several more leading shoots from the
top. It will never regain that elegant Christmas tree shape.
Why don't you cut off the top half and use it as a tree indoors this
Christmas and buy a new one for the garden.
However if you don't want it to grow too tall, as Spruce naturally
want to do, go for a less vigorous tree.
I had a much admired abies koreana (Google it) which is a very
attractive fir tree with almost blue cones. It will grow big
eventually but not too rapidly. Others may make better suggestions
I'm sure.


Pam in Bristol