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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: tim on January 25, 2008, 15:16:57

Title: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: tim on January 25, 2008, 15:16:57
Hornbeam. It's bare now.
Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: Barnowl on January 25, 2008, 15:32:43
RHS say best in summer, but if there's no new growth I can't see it would do any harm.  It's pretty robust stuff.

The only thing is yours looks a little pale for a European hornbeam - had it lost colour due to Autumn or is it a more exotic variety?

When I lived in the country they used to do the hedges round us in the winter and a lot of them had hornbeam in.
Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: tim on January 25, 2008, 18:15:44
Your first guess - yes! 1207 compared with 0407.

Thanks.



Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: ipt8 on January 25, 2008, 18:34:31
Yes prune it. Used for hedges a lot and they can be cut now. Sooner rather than later before the sap rises.
Ivor
Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: tim on January 25, 2008, 18:51:52
On your head be it!!!
Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: Froglegs on January 25, 2008, 19:07:40
Why prune it Tim it looks a beautiful shape as it is.
Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: tim on January 25, 2008, 20:22:05
Too big!!

It's suddenly got its feet down & is growing 12" a year.
Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: davholla on January 25, 2008, 20:47:31
Quote from: tim on January 25, 2008, 20:22:05
Too big!!

It's suddenly got its feet down & is growing 12" a year.
I thought winter pruning encourages growth summer discourages.

Therefore unless you are planning to use the wood don't !!!
Title: Re: Forget the 'book', would you prune it now?
Post by: tim on January 28, 2008, 17:37:49
Thanks for that learned reminder!

I was just thinking that if I wait until June, I shall only be cutting back to where we are now - if that makes sense?