Lower Branches

Daniel

I have a holly ilex meserveae (blue angel).

It's growing well but most of the branches are high, near the top. There's not much interesting, no growth, no color, going on near the bottom of the tree.

How can I create growth / new branches lower down?

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bwaynef

If the tree seems to be healthy and growing vigorously, you can cut back below where foliage is and it should bud back and you'd have the start of new branches. I've no experience with that particular species though.

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bonsaikc

How big is the tree? How old is the tree? Can you post a photo?

It's possible that cutting back hard will make buds pop. If not, you may need to graft.

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Daniel

What is 'cutting back'?

Do I just poke a few holes right on the trunk? That can't be right. How can I get new branches growing off the trunk (candidate primary/secondary branches).

The tree is about 2 feet tall, not sure how old it is, I just got it from the nursery. I can post a photo tonight tho.

lehket

It's just what it sounds like: cutting off the top of the tree. Deciduous species generally take well to this. New growth will appear beneath the cut, and you can regrow it from there. It may seem kind of radical, but sometimes it's the only way (aside from grafting) to get growth lower down on a tree. I have a northern red oak that I have to do this with.

As I understand it, you can't do this with most conifers, because without at least some foliage they will die. I'm not sure how hollies take to such treatment.

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jfecme

I face the same dilemma with two (male& female) of this species. It takes two to tango. The female when pollinated by the male will have tons of bright red berries.

But where to cut back? The female trunk is aboout 2 feet tall with a great green woodbare space that would be delightful to try and air layer. But I'll probably just cut it off where the bare space begins PROVIDED that someone doesn't write in that hollies won't back bud.

If anyone knows, please say so!

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