Pruning smoke trees - Ask Extension
How do I prune a smoke tree to shorten long branches and still have it remain a tree. The branches I pruned last year have caused an even greater grow...
Knowledgebase
Pruning smoke trees #333706
Asked June 18, 2016, 12:35 PM EDT
How do I prune a smoke tree to shorten long branches and still have it remain a tree. The branches I pruned last year have caused an even greater growth of long waving branches.
Lancaster County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
Timing is important for pruning a smoke tree. If you prune it at the wrong time,
the tree reacts to the stress of pruning by growing wildly and haphazardly.
Here is some advice from a gardening blog.
When to Prune a Smoke Tree
Trimming smoke trees can be done in late winter or very early spring. As a general rule, pruning smoke trees for shape is done in very early spring when the plant is still mostly dormant and the process will create less stress. Summer flowering trees such as smoke tree need to be pruned before flower buds have shown. The rule for pruning deciduous flowering plants states that if it flowers after June 1, like the smoke bush, you need to prune in early spring. For a tree, you need to start young and remove all the extra stems, leaving only one strong central leader. You can shape it at this point and keep the plant below a certain height. General pruning will include removing old wood, diseased or broken plant material and managing any suckers and water spouts. Any crossed branches need to be removed to prevent crowding and rubbing.
the tree reacts to the stress of pruning by growing wildly and haphazardly.
Here is some advice from a gardening blog.
When to Prune a Smoke Tree
Trimming smoke trees can be done in late winter or very early spring. As a general rule, pruning smoke trees for shape is done in very early spring when the plant is still mostly dormant and the process will create less stress. Summer flowering trees such as smoke tree need to be pruned before flower buds have shown. The rule for pruning deciduous flowering plants states that if it flowers after June 1, like the smoke bush, you need to prune in early spring. For a tree, you need to start young and remove all the extra stems, leaving only one strong central leader. You can shape it at this point and keep the plant below a certain height. General pruning will include removing old wood, diseased or broken plant material and managing any suckers and water spouts. Any crossed branches need to be removed to prevent crowding and rubbing.
