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When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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Posted by benjilloyd Cheshire, UK (My Page) on Tue, May 17, 05 at 13:07
| We have a Laurel hedge that is growing like mad (this is its second season in the ground, bought in 2-3 ft in pots).
So far I simply cut off the tiny green branches when they go beyond where I want them to.
I don't do it to a particular schedule, just when I notice.
Is this wrong? Am I creating a rod for my back? Could I be doing any harm not pruning at the 'right time'?
Any help appreciated as always
cheers
ben |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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| You can prune whenever you want, with one proviso. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurecerasus) is prone to cankers and the main way they catch them is through wounds that get infected mainly during late winter and early spring, but potentially during any wet weather. The RHS recommend pruning during the summer in dry weather. |
RE: When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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| Cheers! You just told me what I wanted to hear :-) It seems like the Laurel (and it is the Cherry that we have, although I'm sure that's obviously somehow) was the right choice. Fast growing, shad, sun, any soil. All true. Except for some exceptions. But brilliant, I am really pleased. I must admit I am getting quite obsessed cutting it, turn your back and it's grown! So, what on earth are cankers? |
RE: When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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| Exactly what I was wondering. My unstoppable laurel went a bit funny last year - manky leaf problem. Would that be a result of canker? |
RE: When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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| Manky leaf problems are probably just powdery mildew. That causes distorted leaves but is not usually serious. The presence of white fuzz under the leaves indicates mildew. Bacterial cankers can also distort the leaves but will not have white fuzz because they aren't fungal. The leaves will develop lesions that eventually drop out to leave holes. If it infects the branches it can cause dieback. Infected branches should be removed. |
Laural hedge?
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| I have a laural hedge approaching 18-20ft high. Can i reduce the height to about 10ft without damaging the hedge.i know it will look unsightly for a while but will it thicken up again |
RE: When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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| If it is the common English or Cherry Laurel, which it sounds like at that size, then you could cut it to ground level and not slow it down much ;) |
RE: When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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| Absolutely, any plants in the genus Prunus, like laurel, are not pruned in winter, unlike pretty much all other trees and shrubs. The best day to prune a laurel is on a dry but overcast day with no rain predicted for the coming days. A cloudy day will prevent sun-scorch on the freshly cut leaves, although this isn't an issue if you are pruning out stems one by one rather than using a hedge trimmer or shears. The former method gives the best looking results, but obviously takes longer. A mature laurel can be cut down to the ground without a problem. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Laurel Hedging Plants
RE: When should I prune my Laurel hedge?
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| I surely know that this plant can't stand darkness so it should stand under daylight or at least bulb. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Garden lighting
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