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Azalea & Rhododendron

Drastic pruning of Mountain Laurel

16 years ago

We have some 45 year old Mountain Laurel which are 10 feet tall. They are completely woody for most the plants from the ground to about 5 feet up. My only two options are to either pull them up or try cutting them in half. If I cut them in half would they have a chance of reguvinating? I have read on this forum about 1/3rd pruning old growth at the base for 3 years but we need to get the height down right away. I really hate to kill these majestic plants. Thanks.

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Comments (2)

joek_2007
Original Author
16 years ago
Really, I guess I am asking about severe pruning.
rhodyman
16 years ago
Richard Jaynes, the world expert on Kalmia (Mountain Laurel) says:

Plants lacking lower branches present a challenge. There are two approaches for these plantsÂneither are ideal, but each is better than cutting the tops off and leaving 2 to 3 ft. of naked stems. One approach is to remove the plants and replace them with smaller bushes of the desired shape; this is drastic but gives immediate results. The other approach is to cut the overgrown plants to within 2 to 3 inches of the ground, best done in early spring. The plants will re-sprout and become dense and multi-stemmed, but it may take three to four years for them to reach flowering size again. [Richard A. JaynesÂ"Kalmia, Mountain Laurel & Related Species",1997]

Your success will be better if there is not too much shade. Shade is one thing that makes them tall and lanky.

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