I've recently moved into a house with a rather dishevelled laburnum
walk. After several years of neglect the tunnel effect seems to have
been totally lost, with lots of vertical shoots. I'd very much like
to revitalise it, but am not sure how hard I can afford to prune back
the existing growth. I'd guess its been planted for about twenty
years.

Any advice gratefully received!

Laburnum is readily pruned and makes strong growth quite quickly but will
not flower immediately on these new growths. Do make an effort to bring some
of the present vertical growths into the framework, though they are
brittle. Do not prune too hard as named varieties are grafted and you might
prompt growth from the stock but don't be afraid to remove what isn't
needed..
If you burn the prunings beware of the smoke~~ much of the plant is
poisonous, especially the seeds that resemble small green peas to children.
The wood shows unexpected colours that are unique. I have assumed
L.anagyroides syn. vulgare.
"graymuir" wrote in message
om...
I've recently moved into a house with a rather dishevelled laburnum
walk. After several years of neglect the tunnel effect seems to have
been totally lost, with lots of vertical shoots. I'd very much like
to revitalise it, but am not sure how hard I can afford to prune back
the existing growth. I'd guess its been planted for about twenty
years.

Any advice gratefully received!

Laburnum is readily pruned and makes strong growth quite quickly but will
not flower immediately on these new growths. Do make an effort to bring some
of the present vertical growths into the framework, though they are
brittle. Do not prune too hard as named varieties are grafted and you might
prompt growth from the stock but don't be afraid to remove what isn't
needed..
If you burn the prunings beware of the smoke~~ much of the plant is
poisonous, especially the seeds that resemble small green peas to children.
The wood shows unexpected colours that are unique. I have assumed
L.anagyroides syn. vulgare.
"graymuir" wrote in message
om...
I've recently moved into a house with a rather dishevelled laburnum
walk. After several years of neglect the tunnel effect seems to have
been totally lost, with lots of vertical shoots. I'd very much like
to revitalise it, but am not sure how hard I can afford to prune back
the existing growth. I'd guess its been planted for about twenty
years.

Any advice gratefully received!