This is their 2nd growth season in the ground. The first is a Norway weeping spruce, and the second is a weeping atlas cedar (I think.) Is it possible to keep the cedar pruned up in a dome instead of growing outward? And do I let the spruce grow over on itself like in the 3rd picture?
Thanks!
by Final_Good_Bye
9 Comments
Leave it alone….
Tie them to a pole that you stuck in the ground.
I’d remove them if they’re not native and replace them with some native trees of similar profiles.
Also, I’ll say the first two trees are too close to the house and idk where the 3rd tree is but if it’s as close to a structure as those other two then it’s too close too.
Lastly, they’re called “weeping” for a reason. That’s how they grow. Weeping over a cliff or a large rock/wall.
Don’t touch it!!!
As other comments said, I would leave it alone. Secondary and tertiary branches can be cut in an “umbrella” shape but I would not touch any main leads as that is how the trees get bigger.
The weeping spruce is noted for its droopy growth habit. It’s supposed to look like that.
Weeping Atlas cedars need to be staked up with something pretty sturdy if you want it to grow upright. If left alone, they will sprawl 20 feet or more. In my opinion, they look best that way, but it might be a little close to your house to allow it to do that.
See that new growth goring straight up?
If you want it to be taller, let that continue to lead up.
Once it gets to a height you want, you can then choose a new leader that is pointing back down.
This will take many growing seasons to get to the final outcome you want.
It’s also possible that if you just leave it, it will do that or just do it’s own crazy thing.
Weeping spruce can be very unique because of how weird they grow, but you can train them with minimal effort if you want.
Despite the comments calling to leave them alone, that may not accomplish the look you’re going for. These weeping conifers MUST be trained if you want then to grow upward at all.
They will get precisely as tall as you train them to be, and if you don’t train them, they are going to do what they were born to do and grow in a weeping habit.
If you want any of these to have more height than they do right now, you’ll need to stake a leader. This can probably be done a few different ways. Make sure you use garden tape or something stretchy to attach it to the stake that won’t harm the trunk as it grows.