I can't tell you how satisfying it was to prune these Toyons! It took the better part of the day, but I'm enjoying the graceful shape and the new-found openness from the street to the house. It was quite dense before, with a ring of juniper bushes surrounding them. I'd love to plant Pacific Coast Irises at their base for spring-time color- as long as the client and the local deer wouldn't mind!
I don't have a "before" photo from the same angle, but you can see how dense and impenetrable it was. Hopefully some of the interior branches will be able to sprout and fill in at the top now that they'll be enjoying the sunshine. I love making plants happier!
My method of pruning is a tidge free-form, but it begins with an assessment of the tree. Are there dead branches? Is the main structure of the tree straight or curving? Like that old Sesame Street segment: Which of these things is not like the others? With something as full as the Toyons, I'll remove dead branches and twigs just to be able so see what I'm doing. Otherwise, it can get overwhelming real fast. Once the general form is apparent, I start pruning at the base and work my way up, making sure I visually follow where the branch goes before I remove it. It might not look right at the trunk, but it could make a giant hole in the canopy, too. If I can't decide whether or not to cut something off, I move on to something more obvious. The decision will typically make itself clear when more material is removed. It's also important to stop, step back and view the tree from all angles while working. I get so focused on the details, I often forget about the big picture.
Of course, this method is always prefaced with research about the particular plant- does it respond well to pruning? Will it form buds at the base of the branches pruned? When is the best time of year to do it? How carried away can I get with my pruning saw?
It takes a bit of planning, but pruning can be an addicting endeavor. I love nothing more than ignoring the fact that I'm a petite little lady and hefting a newly sawn branch over my shoulder. My advice for this lovely Sunday afternoon- embrace you inner lumberjack, sharpen those Felcos, and get out there!
Great post. Pruning is intimidating for many people (even those of us who are designers). I like your suggestion to "move on to something more obvious" when you can't decide whether to cut a particular branch or not. It's always easier to come back later to remove something than to wish you hadn't wielded those loppers or pruners to begin with!
ReplyDeletewow, nice work! they look so much better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smile Christine and the inspiration to get pruning... but I must wait for the deep freeze to depart. I love your 'embrace your inner lumberjack...' I will remember that when I can get out to it. The Toyons are very beautiful and look very airy within what must have been overcrowded and lacking form. It looks like you did a perfect job.
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing Toyon! Good work, too, they still look inviting, with lots of berries. You stopped at the right time.
ReplyDeleteThe toyons looks great. Mine are quite young so pruning is a much easier matter. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support, my garden friends!
ReplyDeleteMelissa- I'm constantly having to remind myself of that rule- it can be easy to forget in the moment!
Barbara and TM- I read that the berries aren't palatable to birds until they ferment just to the right level and then it's party time! Doesn't that sound fun? I'd love to see that!
i love the end result of the pruned toyons. i am planning a re-do of my property to straight up natives and this was at the top of my list. my question is, is it more habitat friendly in its original state of dense brush? i am sure i will be putting it at the back of a 4 foot bed and so i'll have to manage it somewhat. how much would be my question. ls
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! As for your question, I couldn't say... These Toyons didn't have nests inside, yet they were still tall enough for birds to perch on the upper branches. I think it might be an aesthetic/fire safety decision more than a habitat one.
ReplyDeleteI just pruned two indigenous toyons - pretty gnarly specimens - this weekend - then of course decided to look up how and when to do it - and google sent me to your post - I did approach it much as you described, so I feel somewhat reassured, and like you I find it totally addicting. Removing stuff is easier for me than coming up with ideas for a landscape design. I'm not sure what time or times of the year are best, though, if you were to make yourself up a pruning calendar, which I've been thinking about doing.
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