(01-28-2020, 07:45 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(01-28-2020, 07:18 PM)Jags Wrote: Truth be told, they really don’t NEED to be trimmed. They want to be trees.  It’s really rare to see one as such though.  It’s 100% aesthetics.  But if you’re wanting to get it done, yes, now is fine.  I’ve had people have me trim them all throughout the year.  They’re kinda like Viburnum.  You can’t kill them.  You can cut them to the ground and it’ll grow back. But this time of year is typically when they trim them. You’re good to go! Plus you get to fire up the pole saw!!  Hard not to feel cool with one in your hands.  We had the chainsaw and pole saw going today.  It was a manly day.


As to the first paragraph, we have our “crepe murder” jokes.  That is if passersby don’t beat us to it. Lol.  Oddly enough, the lower they go, it’s actually easier for us and less time.  Fewer cuts to be made.  I should charge an “embarrassment” fee though.

Thanks for the tip. 

I let mine be trees for the most part.  Haven't trimmed them in three years, but three of them have grown into the canopy of other trees and I'd like to clean that up.  Another has a potato vine grown into it. No bueno. 
I'll stand on a step ladder with the pole saw to trim them so they'll still stand 10-12 feet.

No problem. I enjoy talking about lawn care and giving out whatever tips I can. 


There’s a few different ways to trim them. Cutting all back to the “knuckles” or letting them grow and trimming off the “stragglers or weeds” and leaving the top and cleaning the bottom (below the canopy)..  they’re really like a Bob Ross painting.  There’s no wrong way.  Only happy accidents if you mess up.  Potato vine is a pain in the butt.  Luckily, I’ve only seen a few places where it was really bad.  I’d cut that stuff off and spray what’s left.  Unless you can pull it all and get the roots or spraying will screw up the grass or flowers.  Roundup will only work on the leaves.  So even if you sprayed the [BLEEP] out of it and hit the trunk of a tree, you’re good!

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