How to prune new Lilly Pilly trees?

[curo123]

How do you prune a new Syzygium Resilience lilly pilly and what is the best season to do this?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @curo123,

What you'd like to achieve with the plants determines the correct pruning technique. Do you want them to grow taller to try and block the view of those second-story windows? If so, you can keep the lower sections in check by trimming lateral branches outside of the current form and allowing the new growth to only grow upwards at the top. The plants appear to have been already trimmed into a pencil form. Was this the look you were going for, or did you want them to spread out and fill in?

The best time to prune Lilly Pilly's is during late winter, as the new growth will be forming by early spring. 

You might like to read through these help guides: How to maintain healthy Lilly Pillies and How to grow and care for a Lilly Pilly.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[curo123]

Hi Mitchell, 

These were bought in April and were pre cut into a pencil shape. We were told that it would be best to plant two trees beside each other to spread out and fill in into one tree. We do want them to grow taller to block out the second storey windows. 

Would you recommend trimming them on the front and back and not the sides?

Thanks

[EricL]

Hello @curo123 

I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to prune a Lilly Pilly? by @nic188 as mentioned by @MitchellMc. If you are after a nice full cover, I suggest a controlled trim of the front. In this way the hedge will still have cover at the front and not look totally empty. The next few months should give you a very good idea of the direction of growth.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric