How to shape established trees?

[amichaelmedia]

Hey  team

Looking for  tips in maintaining established trees

1) pine on south side of house. Had a lot of lower growth I have removed. I've tried to remove growth that game as overlapping haven't yet got out the ladder for the top end. Any patterns/tips for this tree

2) moonlight grenvilliea (misplent). Growing on a learn since I've planted too close to fence I think. Has been healthy and no.issues. I've also removed lower growth but because it isn't as thick as the pine I was conservative in trimming. Any tips/ideas for this one?

[JacobZ]

Hi @amichaelmedia,

Thank you for your question.

Maintaining established trees involves thoughtful pruning and care to ensure they remain healthy and aesthetically pleasing. Here's how you can care for your pine and moonlight grevillea trees.

For your pine tree on the south side of the house, pruning should focus on maintaining its natural conical shape while removing any dead, diseased, or overlapping branches. Pines grow from terminal buds, meaning they don’t regenerate from old wood, so avoid cutting back too far into the branches. Instead, trim back to lateral branches to improve airflow and sunlight penetration. Late winter to early spring is the best time to prune, as this minimises stress and allows the tree to heal before the growing season. When working on the upper sections, ensure ladder safety by using a stable base and an extendable pruner to avoid overreaching. Regularly removing any suckers or unwanted lower growth will also keep the tree looking tidy and healthy.

The moonlight grevillea, on the other hand, is a fast-growing plant that benefits from light pruning to encourage bushier growth and maintain its shape. Since this grevillea is leaning, you might need to balance pruning with structural support. Trim back uneven branches to reduce the leaning effect, ensuring cuts are made just above a node to encourage side shoots. Avoid removing more than 30% of the plant in one go to prevent undue stress. Late winter or early spring is ideal for pruning, as the plant will recover quickly in the warmer months. If the leaning persists, consider loosely tying the trunk to a sturdy stake placed at a slight distance from the base to prevent root damage, adjusting the ties as the plant grows.

If the proximity to the fence is an issue, you can reshape the grevillea to direct its growth away from the fence line. Removing lower branches will help improve airflow and reduce the risk of disease. Additionally, ensure the plant has good drainage and avoid overwatering, as grevilleas thrive in drier soil conditions. A light application of low-phosphorus fertiliser after pruning will support healthy new growth.

Have a look at How To Prune Trees and Pruning Tips For Your Garden for some further guidance.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[amichaelmedia]

So once yearly for the pine?

And more than once from the grenvilliea to more brushy growth 

[JacobZ]

Hi @amichaelmedia,

Yes, that is correct.

Pine trees require minimal maintenance, and a big prune should only be done in late winter or early spring to allow them to bounce back over the growing period. You can remove small, low-down branches when they arise, but you should not expect them to grow back or contribute to the shape of the tree.

Grevilleas can be pruned more regularly if required, but a good prune at the end of winter and a maintenance prune to maintain shape about 2-3 months after should be enough. Have a look at Grevillea Planting, Growing & Pruning Guide for some further information.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob