Knowledgebase

Unknown Broken Tree in my Yard. Should I Take it Down? #682552

Asked March 03, 2021, 4:35 PM EST

Hello Team, I have a short, lacy flowered tree in my front yard. The first picture attached shows a blue arrow pointing to the tree from last summer. My first question is: what kind of tree is this? What is the name of this breed? Last fall there was a harsh storm that cracked off a big branch of the tree. The red arrow in the first picture is pointing to the branch that cracked off in the storm. The second picture was taken from my front door today and shows that the missing area is very noticeable from the side, not so noticeable from the front. The tree trunk is also leaning quite a bit away from the door. My second question is: is this tree salvageable? What can I do to make it straight again? What can I do to make the missing branch less noticeable? The bees like this tree a lot and I would like to keep it because it is so beautiful, but I am nervous that it is beyond saving at this point. I am nervous that more branches are going to crack off. They bend down pretty low as you can see in the second picture. Even more so when flowering. Is there a way to fix that? The third picture is the best picture I have of the lacy flowers that I think will help identify the tree. Sorry, I don't have great pictures of the tree close up from last year. It would be great to know the name of the tree so that I could re-plant it if need be. Thank you for your help! Alexa

Scott County Minnesota

Expert Response

Your plant is a hydrangea pruned into tree form.  You can cut the branches back by at least a 1/3rd.  Cut back to an area where they branch out.  Hydrangeas actually are better for annual pruning.  It can be done now or in the very early spring.  When pruning keep the thicker stems as they can hold up the heavy flowers.  Cut back the thinner newer growth.  Wherever you prune, that spot will branch out into two or more new branches but they will be shorter and the thick old branch will be able to hold them up.

Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied March 03, 2021, 10:48 PM EST

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