Ligustrum is an excellent plant, also known as privet, which comes quite handy in many applications from hedges to topiary and ornamental purposes. It requires pruning not to sustain the form and to be healthy and beautiful.
But before entering into the pruning techniques, lets discuss some basics of the plant called Ligustrum. The Ligustrum genus contains a group of fast-growing, dense, evergreen, or deciduous shrubs and small trees. It has many uses in landscape design because it is easy to grow and quite hardy.
Ligustrum, commonly known as privet, are fast-growing shrubs and small trees popularly used for hedges and screens. Their dense foliage and rapid growth make them ideal for creating privacy and defining boundaries. However without proper pruning ligustrums can quickly become overgrown and unruly. This leaves many homeowners wondering – how far back can you cut a ligustrum tree?
When to Prune Ligustrum Trees
Ligustrum respond very well to pruning, even severe pruning. The best time to prune them is late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Pruning at this time avoids cutting off new growth and gives the plant time to recover before the growing season.
Mid to late summer is another option if the plant needs corrective pruning or shaping. Just avoid pruning right before winter since new growth could be damaged by cold weather.
How Often to Prune Ligustrum Trees
For general shaping and maintaining size, prune ligustrum trees 1-2 times per year. The first pruning can be in early spring to shape and thin out overcrowded branches.
The second pruning is optional in mid to late summer to trim back any excessive new growth. More frequent light pruning is fine too for formal hedges or topiaries.
Severely cutting back ligustrums to rejuvenate older plants or reduce size only needs doing every 2-5 years.
How Much to Cut Back Ligustrum Trees
Now for the main question – how far back can you cut a ligustrum tree? The simple answer is you can cut them back as severely as needed, even trimming them all the way to the ground or 6-12 inches from the ground.
Here are some general guidelines for cutting back ligustrum trees:
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For regular maintenance pruning, remove no more than 1/3 of the plant’s total height. This helps maintain size and shape without shocking the plant.
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To rejuvenate older, overgrown ligustrums, cut all stems back to 6-12 inches from the ground in early spring. This harsh pruning will stimulate tons of new growth.
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For reshaping or reducing size, cut back main stems by 1/2 to 2/3 of their height. The tree will quickly regrow.
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To tree-form a ligustrum, prune off all lower branches up to the desired canopy height in early spring over 2-3 years.
Pruning Methods for Ligustrum Trees
Use bypass hand pruners for cutting smaller stems up to about 1/2 inch thickness. Loppers are ideal for thicker stems between 1/2 – 1 1/2 inches. And pruning saws make quick work of large branches over 1 1/2 inches thick.
Always make clean cuts just above an outward facing bud or branch. Avoid leaving stubs which invite pests and diseases.
For formal hedges, use electric or manual hedge trimmers for even shaping. Just be careful not to cut too far into old wood which can damage the plant.
Regrowing Ligustrum Trees After Heavy Pruning
Ligustrums are famous for their ability to quickly regrow after even the most aggressive pruning. Their fast growth rate helps them push out tons of new shoots within a few weeks.
Here are some tips for getting your ligustrum tree to fill back in nicely after heavy pruning:
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Apply a balanced fertilizer at the time of pruning to fuel regrowth. Slow release granular fertilizers work well.
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Keep the soil consistently moist, but not saturated during regrowth. Extra watering is key the first few months.
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Stake large cut back stems until regrowth is strong enough to support itself, usually after several months.
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Be patient! It takes 1-2 growing seasons for cut back ligustrums to regain their full size, shape and beauty.
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Remove any suckers or shoots emerging from the root system as needed so energy goes to regrowing the main plant.
Avoid Problems from Over-Pruning Ligustrums
It’s difficult to over-prune ligustrums since they bounce back readily even from dramatic pruning. But here are a few potential issues to keep in mind:
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Pruning too late in summer risks new growth being damaged by cold weather before it hardens off. Stick to early spring or mid-summer pruning.
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Cutting too far into thick, old branches can create wounds that invite disease. Make pruning cuts just above younger, thinner branches.
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Removing more than 50% of the total foliage risks stressing the plant. It’s best to maintain at least half the leaves when pruning.
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Cutting ligustrums too frequently, such as pruning new growth throughout the summer, can result in a thin, leggy appearance.
When to Replace an Overgrown Ligustrum
Occasionally, a ligustrum tree may become so overgrown and unruly that even aggressive rejuvenation pruning isn’t practical. Large, old ligustrums with massive trunks don’t respond as well to major pruning.
In these cases, the best option is to remove and replace the ligustrum with a new, young plant. This avoids trying to rehabilitate a large, neglected specimen.
Signs it’s time to remove and replace an overgrown ligustrum include:
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The base trunk is over 6 inches thick. Thick old trunks don’t re-sprout well.
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More than 70-80% of the height needs to be pruned off to rejuvenate. This much pruning risks the plant’s health.
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The interior is mostly bare with just a canopy of outer leaves. This limits regrowth from inside branches.
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Major limbs or the trunk are decaying or hollow indicating advanced age and decline.
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Growth is minimal and sparse each year. The plant lacks vigor for regrowth.
For best results, always remove the entire ligustrum tree, roots and all, when replacing. This gives its replacement the best chance to establish without competition.
Ligustrum trees are practically bulletproof when it comes to pruning. Feel free to cut them back as severely as needed to control size and rejuvenate overgrown specimens. Just be sure to prune at the right times of year. With their rapid growth rate, even the most severely pruned ligustrum will regain its beauty and function in no time at all.
Tips to Prune Successfully
- Prune Regularly. Light but frequent pruning is always better than heavy but infrequent pruning. It maintains health and form.
- Dont Over-Prune. Never remove more than one-third of the foliage from a plant at a time. This will stress the plant by preventing it from growing proficiently.
- Cut at a slight angle and away from buds so that water does not sit on the cut surface, which may lead to rot. Finally, avoid heavy pruning during the late summer or fall because it encourages new growth, making the growth tender and unlikely to harden off in time for winter.
When to Prune Ligustrum
Prune Ligustrum plants during late winter or early spring, before new growth. This allows time for regrowth to become established before the next growing season. Light pruning can take place in late summer if necessary, but avoid heavy pruning that will cause stress to the plant going into winter.
- Pruning Shears: For small branches and detailed work.
- Loppers: For branches up to 2 inches in diameter.
- Pruning Saw: For thick branches or stems.
- Gloves: To protect your hands from thorns or scrappy branches.
- Disinfectant: Dip tools in between cuts to avoid the transmission of diseases.
- Examine the Plant: Take a good look at your Ligustrum to see if it has any dead, diseased, or broken branches. Take particular notice where thinning might allow more air and light into the middle.
Remove dead or diseased wood. Any dead or diseased branches should be cut out at the first opportunity. Cut back to healthy wood or the base of the plant. Make sure to disinfect your tools between each cut to prevent the further spread of disease. Thin out the plant. Crossed, rubbing, and overcrowded branches are removed to provide air circulation. Trim for an open structure that lets light penetrate through the plant. Shape the Plant. Neaten edges to maintain the desired shape and size. With hedge trimmers, cut hedges to a neat, even surface. On topiary, follow the shape you are creating. Cut back long or leggy branches to a healthy bud or lateral branch. This will encourage new shoots to grow and keep a dense, bushy appearance. Dispose of all pruned material from around the plant. It prevents diseases and pests from establishing themselves in the plant.
How to properly prune a ligustrum tree in Florida.
FAQ
How to hard prune ligustrum?
Heavy pruning to reduce the size or to tree form your Ligustrum should be performed in late winter, while the plant is dormant. Use a sharp pair of bypass hand pruners to selectively remove stray or damaged branches. Make your cut at a point along the branch just above the main form of the plant.
Is ligustrum a tree or a shrub?
Sunshine ligustrum is a beautiful, evergreen shrub valued for its vibrant golden-yellow leaves. It reaches only 3-4 feet wide and grows between 3-6 feet tall, so it’s perfect for smaller spaces. Because of its moderate growth rate, you won’t need to worry about taking over your yard too quickly.
How far can you cut privet back?
You can cut the hedge back approximately within 30m of the ground. Any further and you may end up with a plant that cannot grow back at all. Be sure to feed the hedges after with fertiliser and mulch, while keeping it significantly hydrated.
How far back can you trim a bush without killing it?
Follow the 1/3 rule
This can mean removing one third of the total height, or one-third of the total number of branches, depending on the type of plant and how severely it needs to be cut back. It’s best to err on the side of caution and cut too little than too much.