Quote:
Originally Posted by JoParrott
Since they are so big you will end up with a lot of bare branches when you prune the first time. But if you want to get a specific shape you have to start somewhere! They look to be really healthy- I lived in LA many years and in the humidity black spot disease was a big problem with redtips- especially where air flow was not the best.
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Yeah, they're everywhere here as builders seem to think they're just great in our area, but they are very susceptible to disease (especially when they're so close together like that). Bare branches don't bother me, the main thing that bothers me right now is it's very difficult to mow that section of the yard since you have to sidle up right next to them, and the bees which are all over them for the blooms get a little annoyed. I think trimming the bases up to fence height would be more practical and still provide privacy from the neighbors.
Quote:
Originally Posted by loulac
A photinia will have a tree-like shape if it grows alone on a lawn at a nice distance from another tree. I suppose you would like to have a more tidy hedge. As it has never been trimmed for years a serious work has to be done with a chainswaw, top and sides to give it the shape of a decent hedge. Choose the right height : the higher it is the more private your place will be but the more difficult your job will be to trim the top later.
The first year it will be perfectly ugly with its skeleton of branches but new shootings will soon come and one year later it will start to look nice. I trim my hedge in November but I suggest you check the right period, just google "photinia" and you will have plenty of answers.
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Yep, I think we'll have to wait until fall since I know you're not supposed to prune these guys until they're dormant. Just good to know that I can trim them to that shape and it's not something that the plant needed to be trained into as it was maturing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Worth1
So thats what those things are. 
I moved into a rent house one time the darn thing was almost covering up the door.
I had to cut it back big time. |
Yep, they get out of control! I hate the way the flowers smell, too. At least they're pretty. If it were up to me, I'd replace them with a few crape myrtles, but that's a big project and they've already removed two willows from that backyard (that's what those two bare patches in the yard used to be). I think I'll just try to make the most of them for now.