How to Trim Existing Shrubs Into Small Trees

Very large camellias can be pruned to look like trees.

Overgrown shrubs can be an eyesore in any yard. If you would like to create some order to the shrubs, consider pruning them into small trees. You could even start pruning younger shrubs for an individualized tree look on your landscape. Large shrubs, like some types of azaleas, rhododendrons and viburnums, are particularly suited for tree-making, but smaller shrubs will also suffice. This kind of pruning is not difficult, and with some knowledge on how to keep the soon-to-be-tree safe, you can have a brand new plant in little time.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Small saw
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Decide what time of year you will prune your plant according to its flowering regime. It is important not to arbitrarily choose any time to prune. Prune summer flowering shrubs in the late winter or early spring when the tree is still dormant. Prune spring flowering shrubs in the late spring or early summer right after the blossoms fade.

2. Prepare your tools and the tree for pruning. Watch the weather, and make sure it is not going to rain in the next few days. If the weather is clear, proceed to wash your tools with rubbing alcohol. Immediately after pruning, the tree is particularly susceptible to diseases from other plants on which you may have used your tools. Rain promotes fungus on the new tree's wounds.

3. Look inside the shrub. You should see its lead branch, which is the strongest branch in the shrub. You should never prune this branch. There may be more than one that looks like a trunk, and that is okay. The bottom quarter of the trunk where there are only small branches is where you will prune.

4. Cut any branches on the bottom quarter of the tree that are smaller than an inch right outside the branch collar with pruning shears. The branch collar is the raised section where the branch meets the trunk.

5. Trim branches larger than an inch in this bottom quarter with a saw using a three cut system. Make the first cut on the bottom of the branch, 6 to 12 inches from the trunk, cutting only a quarter of the way through the branch. Make the second cut one inch beyond the first, cutting it through completely. Now cut off the stump right outside its branch collar. This method of cutting will ease the stress on the tree.

6. Prune any dead, broken or diseased branches throughout the rest of the tree using the methods above according to the size of the branch. Also take off any branches that are rubbing or that are parallel and too close together. Thin the tree out from the bottom to the top, gradually allowing the foliage to become denser and denser.

7. Shape the canopy of the new tree into a natural shape such as a gentle curve. Start trimming at the top, and allow branches to grow longer as you work your way down the tree.

References

• This Old House: How to Prune Small Trees and Shrubs
• Sutton Group: Turn Overgrown Shrubs Into Trees