Paper Handkerchief Tree

[BockingBill]

Puchased said tree about 8 years ago after seeing a wonderful specimen in an open garden in the West Country. People at the time said that it takes about 5 years for the "handkerchiefs" to show. We are now in our 8th year and so far there have been no "handkerchiefs but plenty of good growth.

Is the 5 years normal or am I doing something wromg. The tree stands fairly near to a small pond and as such the ground is always moist to wet - could this be a reason?

[BockingBill]

[Mushy Pea]

We've had one for quite a few years. You only get the "hankies" on new growth so we have always pruned it well each year in the autumn.

[BockingBill]

Thanks Mushy Pea. You have probably identified the problem in one - we haven't pruned it at all so far.

How hard do you prune it - do you prune back each branch by say one third?

[Mushy Pea]

I'd say you could try that to start with. Ours is so vigorous that we really prune it hard almost back to the trunk each year.