big old bottlebrushes
we have two big old bottlebrush trees which are not only very thick and
bushy, but also completely wonky. :-) i get the impression that they've been pruned all down one side for access to a path, & did not ever grow back in these spots. the rest of them is growing out all over the place & they just look horrible. however, the tiny birds like them & live in them so they're staying for now. is it so that bottlebrush won't grow back where pruned? (in which case, surely i need to go very carefully..!?). will a bit of tip pruning just to even out the bushy lumpy bits at the very tips make more bushiness, or result in never growing back? i think i need to get them more tree-shaped underneath, & then go carefully round the bushy parts - would appreciate any tips on this, & any experiences anyone has with bottlebrushes after pruning. i pruned a little one at our last house & indeed, nothing seemed to grow back afterwards but i don't think that particular one was very happy anyway. my big two i have here are very happy indeed, but just totally ugly :-) thanks for any tips!! kylie |
big old bottlebrushes
0tterbot wrote:
we have two big old bottlebrush trees which are not only very thick and bushy, but also completely wonky. :-) i get the impression that they've been pruned all down one side for access to a path, & did not ever grow back in these spots. the rest of them is growing out all over the place & they just look horrible. however, the tiny birds like them & live in them so they're staying for now. is it so that bottlebrush won't grow back where pruned? (in which case, surely i need to go very carefully..!?). will a bit of tip pruning just to even out the bushy lumpy bits at the very tips make more bushiness, or result in never growing back? i think i need to get them more tree-shaped underneath, & then go carefully round the bushy parts - would appreciate any tips on this, & any experiences anyone has with bottlebrushes after pruning. i pruned a little one at our last house & indeed, nothing seemed to grow back afterwards but i don't think that particular one was very happy anyway. my big two i have here are very happy indeed, but just totally ugly :-) thanks for any tips!! kylie I have just pruned a bottle brush in out backyard to more manageable proportions. It does pay to prune them as they grow, as they otherwise do their own thing, which is very imaginative, but totally without rules. As far as it growing back, it will, in unexpected places. Providing shelter is great, so try to keep the birds happy. Keep it thick but higher up, will do a lot for the birds. If you're in a windy position keep in mind that they snap rather easily and will be top heavy if this is not kept in mind. Depending where you live, if its fairly dry they seem to cope but will prefer lighter soil and mulch, with some watering in the tough seasons. Best of luck. |
big old bottlebrushes
In article ,
"0tterbot" wrote: i think i need to get them more tree-shaped underneath, & then go carefully round the bushy parts - would appreciate any tips on this, & any experiences anyone has with bottlebrushes after pruning. i pruned a little one at our last house & indeed, nothing seemed to grow back afterwards but i don't think that particular one was very happy anyway. my big two i have here are very happy indeed, but just totally ugly :-) thanks for any tips!! I believe the usual way to prune them is to chop them off behind the flowers, once they fade. They aren't supposed to mind pruning at all, and there are some nicely-shaped ones around this area. I think you are probably right to prune the lower sections to a tree-shape. -- Chookie -- Sydney, Australia (Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply) "Parenthood is like the modern stone washing process for denim jeans. You may start out crisp, neat and tough, but you end up pale, limp and wrinkled." Kerry Cue |
big old bottlebrushes
"Jonno" wrote in message
u... 0tterbot wrote: we have two big old bottlebrush trees which are not only very thick and bushy, but also completely wonky. :-) I have just pruned a bottle brush in out backyard to more manageable proportions. It does pay to prune them as they grow, as they otherwise do their own thing, which is very imaginative, but totally without rules. As far as it growing back, it will, in unexpected places. Providing shelter is great, so try to keep the birds happy. the birds make me very happy, so i can return the favour ;-) Keep it thick but higher up, will do a lot for the birds. If you're in a windy position keep in mind that they snap rather easily and will be top heavy if this is not kept in mind. hm, must keep this in mind. i keep looking at it & thinking about where to start. thanks! kylie Depending where you live, if its fairly dry they seem to cope but will prefer lighter soil and mulch, with some watering in the tough seasons. Best of luck. |
big old bottlebrushes
"Chookie" wrote in message
news:ehrebeniuk-4D4AE3.15414921092007@news... In article , "0tterbot" wrote: i think i need to get them more tree-shaped underneath, & then go carefully round the bushy parts - would appreciate any tips on this, & any experiences anyone has with bottlebrushes after pruning. i pruned a little one at our last house & indeed, nothing seemed to grow back afterwards but i don't think that particular one was very happy anyway. my big two i have here are very happy indeed, but just totally ugly :-) thanks for any tips!! I believe the usual way to prune them is to chop them off behind the flowers, once they fade. well, i can do that. the old flowers are still there. (i simply must do it before the flowers, and hence the bees, come). They aren't supposed to mind pruning at all, and there are some nicely-shaped ones around this area. I think you are probably right to prune the lower sections to a tree-shape. i'm sure i'm right g. still working out where to even begin!! a ladder is going to be involved. thanks! kylie |
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