Advice on pruning a very large oleander

15 years ago

We have an enormous oleander tree (at least I consider it to be enormous). It's over 12 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter. The previous owner had pruned it to look like a ball suspended on its branches, and it looked great when we first moved it. Now it is just overwhelmingly large, and is crowding out another oleander and a bottle brush nearby.

I went out to cut this thing down to size, but when I did a test cut of less than 2 feet of green growth, I saw that if I tried to do this to the entire tree, it would basically look like a big ball of bare twigs - that is, there are no green leaves deeper inside this behemoth. There are also very thick branches that would be exposed if I cut it back so drastically.

What should I do about this? I know that these "shrubs" are virtually indestructible, but I'm worried that if I cut it down too severely, it would not recover quickly and would be an eyesore for some time. Do I need to consult an arborist about what to do?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

kayjones
15 years ago
I live in NW Florida, and here, many people/hotels, etc., cut them down each year, to about 2' - they come back in a short time, lush and flowering profusely.
lel_h
Original Author
15 years ago
That's a popular thing to do around here as well, but I was hoping for a solution that preserves the general shape - it's currently pruned a little like a topiary (a big ball on bare branches). There's another smaller oleander next to it that has that shape as well.
Related Professionals
Ashland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fillmore Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Stamford Landscape Contractors · Avocado Heights Landscape Contractors · Bethel Park Landscape Contractors · Blue Springs Landscape Contractors · Centereach Landscape Contractors · Danvers Landscape Contractors · Fort Payne Landscape Contractors · Hendersonville Landscape Contractors · Mastic Beach Landscape Contractors · Mequon Landscape Contractors · Painesville Landscape Contractors · Point Pleasant Landscape Contractors · Saint John Landscape Contractors
susieq07
15 years ago
Whatever you do be careful, wear gloves do not get sap on your skin, Oleander is a very Toxic plant, it can effect the nervous system, the heart,and can be fatal if ingested, even to pets. I have 3 of these plants have not needed to prune, but will be extremely careful, when handeling.
lel_h
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the warning. I am aware of the exceptional toxicity of oleander, but admittedly I didn't always take the full precautions necessary to stay safe. Now it's always long sleeved shirts, gloves, and a mask.