Pruning scale trees

ge_rik

ge_rik

British narrow gauge (esp. Southwold and W&LLR)
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I've had a go at pruning lonicera (the small leaved variety) into something resembling deciduous trees - but would welcome others' experiences. I've found lonicera is very easy to propagate - basically I just stick trimmings into the ground and they grow. They grow quite quickly and what I try to do is thin out the lower branches and then trim the upper branches into something sort of tree shaped. Mind you, they all tend to end up looking like lollypops after a few trims. I think the trick is to thin out the branches all the way up the tree.

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Waddya think?

Rik
 
Looks great Rik :thumbup: Have trimmed several of my trees to keep them to size :bigsmile:
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SUPERB !!! I'm so glad this thread is started - thanks Rik and Richie.

Richie that circle in the trees look fab !!! :thumbup:
 
Richie said:
Looks great Rik :thumbup: Have trimmed several of my trees to keep them to size :bigsmile:
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The secret of realism seems to be trimming off the lower branches and thinning out the upper ones

Rik
 
Evening Everyone,this is a really handy thread,i have been wanting to know how to prune trees for a while,The trees in your pics Richie look superb,do you know what speices the tree is in front of the church in pic 2,it looks great,would'nt mind one or to of them myself.Regards,Pete.
 
ped said:
Evening Everyone,this is a really handy thread,i have been wanting to know how to prune trees for a while,The trees in your pics Richie look superb,do you know what speices the tree is in front of the church in pic 2,it looks great,would'nt mind one or to of them myself.Regards,Pete.
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The conifers in front of the church are Picea conica the small rounder one has had it's tip removed .
 
Thay look brilliant Richie 10 out of 10
 
Richie said:
ped said:
Evening Everyone,this is a really handy thread,i have been wanting to know how to prune trees for a while,The trees in your pics Richie look superb,do you know what speices the tree is in front of the church in pic 2,it looks great,would'nt mind one or to of them myself.Regards,Pete.
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The conifers in front of the church are Picea conica the small rounder one has had it's tip removed .
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Thanks for info,trip to garden center in order i think.:thumbup:
 
Right - I'm def taking notice of this! Some marvellous trees. Gonna have a go right now (said he, suitably inspired!):thumbup:
 
More on Richie's Picea Conica :

From http://www.GardeningExpress.co.uk < Link To www.GardeningExpress.co.uk

Picea glauca Conica

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Product ref: S10899

£14.95

A miniature, cone shaped evergreen tree commonly known as the Dwarf Alberta Spruce.The very slow growing Dwarf Alberta Spruce grows 2 to 4 inches per year and reaches a mature height of 7 feet and width of 3 feet in 25 years. It likes full sun.The foliage is compact and bright green. The needles are short and tightly placed.Look great in patio planters, and also as seasonal decorations around the home as mini Christmas Trees. Supplied in approx 2-3 Litre containers.


And more on Rik's lonicera (lots of different types) can be found here :

http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/Lonicera-genus
 
I have a few shots that include the trees that tend to be pruned the most. I have not been able to get shots of their recent (last week) prune but theses are from last year and they were pruned a little after the pictures were taken so you can see that it has to be done twice or three times a year especially with some so called 'slow growing' species!
I use heathers for bushes and various dwarf/small leaved evergreens for simulating firs or deciduous trees. Some species are really nice and easy to make into single 'convincing' miniatures of their larger cousins but others tend to have the appearance of a small clump of trees as they will have multi-branches from the bottom of the stem.
Of course you can selectively remove branches to leave nice bare trunks on any specimen but the multi-stem versions can look a little too 'nude' if they have only one stem left. But, saying that, one or two 'spindly' ones do make a nice addition.

My intention was to have green all year around, much like in the the garden as a whole, so the evergreens were chosen with this in mind. The species that tend to make the best 'specimen' single trees are:

Picea Glauca this is the one that can be made into great looking simulations of life sized firs like on Richie's layout. I have a couple but I manged to kill off two others as I sited them where they did not get any moisture...a bad move with any fir but especually Picus as they get red spider mite real bad! Good selective taking out about every second branch as you go around and up is the best way to prune these.

cryptomeria japonica this is a lovely little bush. I used it by the garage scene and it can be shaped into convincing deciduous shapes

Chamaecyparis Obtusa 'Kosteri' this is the one by the coaltower and oil fuel tank. It can be shaped and pruned into a convincing deciduous tree


cypress Hinoki or 'false cypress' this is the one that is by the water tower and engine shed. It takes on the look of a miniature scots pine if just pruned to leave the trunk exposed. It is commonly used as a bonsai.


dwarf chamaecyparis this will need pruning at least twice a year or it will get out of hand. It is top left in picture 6


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Lovely trees Mike:thumbup:

I went out and had a go ....

The box before....

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and after...

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I know its not just right but I had to lay flat on the floor to do it but I can see something in the making! Ended up with a large bucket full of cuttings - just need SWMBO to propagate a few!
 
That is an excellent job Mick...really good. Nice shape and lots of air under it. Just remember twice to three times a year for the box...how do I know? :rolf:
 
I should have started in the manner I should have started in:rolf::rolf::rolf::rolf:
 
NO ones taking a pair of scissors or anything sharp to my new trees:nerd::nerd::nerd:
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:rolf::rolf::rolf:
 
Great photo's of your trees Mike :thumbup:
Mick that Buxus looks fantastic :bigsmile:once you start you can't stop still have a few to do on my line sorry i didn't do you a show you how last year will do a thread when i start pruning :thumbup:
 
trammayo said:
Lovely trees Mike:thumbup:
I went out and had a go ....
The box before....
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and after...
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I know its not just right but I had to lay flat on the floor to do it but I can see something in the making! Ended up with a large bucket full of cuttings - just need SWMBO to propagate a few!
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Mick what an amazing difference this has made :thumbup:

I think all the pruning looks great guys :clap:

May be i can figure out how to plant some and keep them alive long
enough to be able to have a go :bigsmile:
 
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