Can I cut lower branches off Lilly Pilly?

[Chintah]

Hi, this Lilly Pilly is about 3 years old. Its planted in the lawn and we would like it to have a clean trunk so it can be mowed under. Will the trunk get taller as the tree grows or should we be cutting off the lower branches. Also if the lower branches were cut off would that give the tree more energy towards growing taller. The lower branches are up to approximately 2 to 3 cm diameter. 

Thanks. 

 

[mich1972]

Good afternoon @Chintah 

Yes definitely you can prune back the lower branches of your Lilly Pilly. It will still grow fantastic 😃

[EricL · Accepted solution]

Hello @Chintah 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your lilly pilly.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @mich1972. Your Lilly Pilly’s trunk won’t really “lift” as it grows—it will thicken, but the lower branches will stay where they are unless pruned. If you want a more tree-like shape with a clear trunk for mowing underneath, you can gradually remove the lower branches.

Removing these lower branches won’t necessarily make the tree grow taller faster, but it can help direct more energy into the upper canopy, encouraging upward growth over time. It’s best to prune in stages rather than removing all the lower branches at once, as sudden heavy pruning can stress the tree.

Since the branches are still relatively small (2-3 cm in diameter), they should heal well if cut cleanly. Use sharp, sterilized secateurs or a pruning saw and make cuts just outside the branch collar (the slightly swollen area where the branch meets the trunk) to help the tree heal properly. Late summer to early autumn is a good time for pruning, as it allows the tree to recover before winter. Regularly trimming new shoots that pop up lower on the trunk will also help maintain the look you want.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Jason]

Hi @Chintah,

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the community. We trust you'll get loads of help and inspiration for all your projects around the house and garden.

Just wanted to add to the replies given that you should find the guide How to grow and care for a lilly pilly very helpful. It includes a section on pruning: "The general rule of thumb is to prune lightly after a growth flush. Lilly pilly can tolerate a hard pruning if required, so if they ever get out of shape or become too unruly, don't be afraid to prune them back hard."

Hope that helps,

Jason

[Chintah]

Thanks very much for your helpful reply. 

[Chintah]

Thanks very much for your detailed response, I will now feel confident to prune them in stages.

[Chintah]

Hi again, we have done some trimming of our Lily Pilly and contemplating the next stage. We’d like to remove the large (approx 4cm diameter) branch that’s low down on the RHS, so it just has one main trunk.  However would that be too stressful for the tree as it holds almost half the foilage?  It would also be lopsided,  but would it even itself out over time?

Also how long should we wait for the tree to recover between pruning. We have given it seasol to try help. 

Thanks. 

 

[EricL]

Hello @Chintah 

In regards to the supporting RHS post, I propose leaving it on as it holds half the foliage. This post should have been removed much earlier when the tree was younger, but now it has come to depend on it. As to the branch itself, I recommend leaving it on as you have already done some pruning. Recovery and new growth will depend on the health of the tree, it could be a few weeks to a few months. I suggest giving your lilly pilly time to recover. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Chintah]

Hi Eric, that support post was added recently as the tree was leaning to the left as it gets buffeted by high winds and the ground is soft. We intend to remove it when the tree is more securely rooted. We would like to eventually remove that lower RHS branch but the tree would then be lopsided as that branch contains a lot of the foilage. Removing it may also cause more leaning to the left. Would the tree however naturally compensate and grow more on the RHS to even itself out again ? If we go ahead with removing that lower RHS branch should we perhaps wait till the start of next spring to give the tree more time to recover?

Thanks again.

[EricL]

Hello @Chintah 

One of my main worries is that removing such a large portion of the plant will not only unbalance it, but it will also add stress to the already pruned plant. Because your tree is already semi mature, I'm not sure if it will compensate by growing more foliage on the RHS once the branch is cut off. I propose letting the tree establish itself deeper and wait until the start of next spring. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric