We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

McQualude wrote:

We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?

Don't use a chainsaw. It leaves cuts with torn bark that might
cause rot.

Depending on the type of shrub, you might use hedge clippers. Or
you might have to use lopping shears and hand pruning saws.
Different varieties require different pruning methods. In some
cases, you can cut back to bare branches; they will resprout
nicely. In other cases, bare branches (and perhaps the shrub)
will die.

I suggest you first identify the shrubs. Then check a pruning
book. You don't have to buy the book if you have a decent public
library nearby. Otherwise, a good nursery might let you browse
throught a copy.


--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 19 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

No offense, but that's a bit like asking "My car is making a funny noise,
should I add some oil?" 8-)

Before you go whacking away at things with a chainsaw, it would be good to
identify what kind of shrubs they are. Are they evergreen or deciduous?
Do they flower, and what do the flowers look like? How big are the leaves,
how are they shaped, and how are they arranged on the branches? And so on.
You can often shortcut this process by asking a gardening
neighbor--gardeners almost universally love to identify and talk about
plants, and odds are whoever planted your hedge didn't use anything too
exotic. You can also go to a good nursery and wander about a bit until you
spot "your" plant. You could get a basic gardening book from the library.

It's also helpful to know where you live and what your climate is like.

Once we have some basic information, we can help you with your pruning
question.

Or, you can just go at it with the chainsaw. One of my neighbors does. And
he's appalled that I pay someone to change the oil in my lawnmower instead
of servicing it myself. Different strokes, and all that.

Cheers,
Sue

--

Zone 6, South-central PA
"McQualude" wrote in message
...
We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

Go at it dude and have fun.

Be sure to wear gloves and goggles when you do.


"McQualude" wrote in message
...
We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

Go at it dude and have fun.

Be sure to wear gloves and goggles when you do.


"McQualude" wrote in message
...
We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

Go at it dude and have fun.

Be sure to wear gloves and goggles when you do.


"McQualude" wrote in message
...
We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

Go at it dude and have fun.

Be sure to wear gloves and goggles when you do.


"McQualude" wrote in message
...
We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

David Ross said:

I suggest you first identify the shrubs. Then check a pruning
book. You don't have to buy the book if you have a decent public
library nearby. Otherwise, a good nursery might let you browse
throught a copy.

I'll try to find out what they are, the neighbors don't know. Last fall I
cut several feet off the top and they have already grown taller than they
were when I cut them. Whatever they are, they are voracious growers. I
broke a twig off and stuck it in a pot, it grew a root within a week.
--
McQualude

Go at it dude and have fun.

Be sure to wear gloves and goggles when you do.


"McQualude" wrote in message
...
We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

"SugarChile" said:

No offense, but that's a bit like asking "My car is making a funny
noise, should I add some oil?" 8-)

I don't get the analogy, but I'll take your word for it.

Before you go whacking away at things with a chainsaw, it would be
good to identify what kind of shrubs they are.
Are they evergreen or deciduous?

deciduous, but evergreen in this zone (7-8)

Do they flower, and what do the flowers look like?

I don't remember.

How big are the leaves, how are they shaped, and how are they
arranged on the branches?

mature leaves are 2.5" long, they are compound leaves, have a small
stem and grow opposite on the main stem

The simple identification book I have identified them as white ash, but
they are not ash trees.

I'm wondering if it is a variety of privet. The characteristics seem to
match and they appear similiar at a glance.

Or, you can just go at it with the chainsaw. One of my neighbors
does. And he's appalled that I pay someone to change the oil in my
lawnmower instead of servicing it myself. Different strokes, and all
that.

I don't think I could kill these things without the use of poison. They
grow practically year round, probably a few inches a month and probably
2 feet a month in spring and fall.

I might just let them go... really, how big could they get? If they are
privets they would be nearly full grown.
--
McQualude

Go at it dude and have fun.

Be sure to wear gloves and goggles when you do.


"McQualude" wrote in message
...
We have some shrubs in the backyard that serve as a privacy fence. The
previous resident never pruned them so they are about 15+' tall. I would
like to whack about 5' off, do I just go at it with a chainsaw?
--
McQualude

David Ross said:

I suggest you first identify the shrubs. Then check a pruning
book. You don't have to buy the book if you have a decent public
library nearby. Otherwise, a good nursery might let you browse
throught a copy.

I'll try to find out what they are, the neighbors don't know. Last fall I
cut several feet off the top and they have already grown taller than they
were when I cut them. Whatever they are, they are voracious growers. I
broke a twig off and stuck it in a pot, it grew a root within a week.
--
McQualude

David Ross said:

I suggest you first identify the shrubs. Then check a pruning
book. You don't have to buy the book if you have a decent public
library nearby. Otherwise, a good nursery might let you browse
throught a copy.

I'll try to find out what they are, the neighbors don't know. Last fall I
cut several feet off the top and they have already grown taller than they
were when I cut them. Whatever they are, they are voracious growers. I
broke a twig off and stuck it in a pot, it grew a root within a week.
--
McQualude

"SugarChile" said:

No offense, but that's a bit like asking "My car is making a funny
noise, should I add some oil?" 8-)

I don't get the analogy, but I'll take your word for it.

Before you go whacking away at things with a chainsaw, it would be
good to identify what kind of shrubs they are.
Are they evergreen or deciduous?

deciduous, but evergreen in this zone (7-8)

Do they flower, and what do the flowers look like?

I don't remember.

How big are the leaves, how are they shaped, and how are they
arranged on the branches?

mature leaves are 2.5" long, they are compound leaves, have a small
stem and grow opposite on the main stem

The simple identification book I have identified them as white ash, but
they are not ash trees.

I'm wondering if it is a variety of privet. The characteristics seem to
match and they appear similiar at a glance.

Or, you can just go at it with the chainsaw. One of my neighbors
does. And he's appalled that I pay someone to change the oil in my
lawnmower instead of servicing it myself. Different strokes, and all
that.

I don't think I could kill these things without the use of poison. They
grow practically year round, probably a few inches a month and probably
2 feet a month in spring and fall.

I might just let them go... really, how big could they get? If they are
privets they would be nearly full grown.
--
McQualude

"SugarChile" said:

No offense, but that's a bit like asking "My car is making a funny
noise, should I add some oil?" 8-)

I don't get the analogy, but I'll take your word for it.

Before you go whacking away at things with a chainsaw, it would be
good to identify what kind of shrubs they are.
Are they evergreen or deciduous?

deciduous, but evergreen in this zone (7-8)

Do they flower, and what do the flowers look like?

I don't remember.

How big are the leaves, how are they shaped, and how are they
arranged on the branches?

mature leaves are 2.5" long, they are compound leaves, have a small
stem and grow opposite on the main stem

The simple identification book I have identified them as white ash, but
they are not ash trees.

I'm wondering if it is a variety of privet. The characteristics seem to
match and they appear similiar at a glance.

Or, you can just go at it with the chainsaw. One of my neighbors
does. And he's appalled that I pay someone to change the oil in my
lawnmower instead of servicing it myself. Different strokes, and all
that.

I don't think I could kill these things without the use of poison. They
grow practically year round, probably a few inches a month and probably
2 feet a month in spring and fall.

I might just let them go... really, how big could they get? If they are
privets they would be nearly full grown.
--
McQualude