Howdy wonderful gardeners,
I’m after some advice on our Lilly Pilly’s as to whether or not a prune or full coppice will return some growth from the ground to the top of the fence height.
I made the mistake of getting a bit overzealous in pruning low branches to ease mowing some years ago, and now we can still see the fence whilst the top keeps growing.
Should I prune these down to the top of the fence height to promote new growth below? Or should I coppice them right down? (Not sure if you can even coppice these).
If I did prune, as you can see, they would basically be left as big ugly poles for a couple years until growth occurs, which we wouldn’t mind if it will work.
Thanks in advance!
by metadamame
3 Comments
If you prune the branches back to level with the top of the fence, then that’s where the majority of new growth will come from (you may get some further down but it won’t be very strong).
If you prune the main trunk back to 300 to 600mm then that’s where the growth will come from.
It doesn’t look like much or any sunlight is getting to the stem. They typically won’t reshoot on the lower stem without sunlight hitting it.
We may be better off underplanting!
Not sure where you are, but unless you want to cut them down to about 300mm, losing all that upper screening and ending up with multi branded trees that won’t be as stable, you’re probably better off underplanting…native ginger, native gardenia, of even their exotic equivalents.