Turning Shrubs into Trees

[@666rohith]

limbing up is pretty much the only way i can maintain sanity around shrubs i accidentally planted too close to each other

[@JimPutnam]

Exactly my issue 🤣

[@kaitlinjohnson2915]

When I first started gardening, I shied away from shrubs because they almost all seemed way too large for my small urban lot (and I see a lot of poorly maintained, very overgrown shrubs in yards). But then I realized how much control I had to shape their form and keep their size in check and a whole world opened up.

[@colsen4616]

Limbed up a 35 year old (I’m guessing) rhododendron this summer. Instead of a big green blob blocking half the house, I now see some light as well as the beautiful trunk(s). I took a lot off and still need to do some additional work next year, but I’m so glad I finally worked up the courage to tackle it after watching you.

[@joanncooper9146]

Yes! You did it! Thank you! It hurts me when I see folks struggling to whack shrubs back to meat balls when the shrubs really want to be small trees. And you gain back all that real estate underneath. Win -win!

[@kaitlinjohnson2915]

Meatball shrubs make me so sad! Unless it is truly a shrub that takes shearing well (and the job is done well), they just look terrible! I sometimes wish I could sneak around my neighborhood with pruning shears and help some of these poor shrubs. 😂

[@joanncooper9146]

@@kaitlinjohnson2915 IKR? I’ve been tempted to take a set of clippers to my local shopping center. What landscapers do and don’t do drives me mad!

[@jimo4581]

You are the Obi-won Canobi of plants!!!! I learn something new every time!!! Thank you 🙏!!!!

[@crystalchunn6925]

I’ve always loved the look of tree formed shrubs. I need one of those viburnum for sure!

[@anitahadley2871]

I’ve done 3 loropetalums, 2 hollies and my rhododendron. It’s how I make room for other things! Plus, I love how it looks.

[@cathycraig1301]

This is a great idea. It’s very difficult to find a truly small tree, say under 15 ft. And it doubles the plants that can exist within the same space. Further, one can have full sun plants closer to mostly shade plants. This is just genius.

[@leanderlawrence8312]

I'm thinking of limbic up my rose of Sharon. Thanks for the video!

[@jul7673]

I love this look. My cephalanthus is tree-forming itself, probably as a result of lower light. I’ve been able to underplant with juncus.

[@dia9491]

Oh I bet that’s a gorgeous combo! I love juncus.

[@marcellacoblentz8433]

Another great video as usual! You are the GOAT for practical informative videos!

[@Ibis333]

I've seen a few videos of yours on limbing up a single trunk (e.g. your Hydrangea paniculata), but I don't think I've seen you do the initial shrub to multi-trunk form. I'd love to see how you tackle that -- should one wait until the plant is large and has a bunch of potential "trunks" to choose from or should one start selectively trimming early when it's still young to get the optimal form? I bought a small serviceberry (A. alnifolia) last season that I'd like to keep as a tree form in a container. So far, I've left it alone (though it's been set back some by having new growth eaten by a rabbit this spring).

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Jim. I love the look of tree formed shrubs. 🌺💚🙃

[@Al-ImprovEd2022]

But WHEN do you limb up? I have viburnum , osmanthus, camellias, fig... Thanks

[@TO-vw3sy]

How old, or mature in its growth cycle, should a shrub be before you can begin to limb up?

[@Maryrose-fs6ue]

Thanks for sharing! Now I have a few more bushes that I want to purchase for my gardens! 🌼🌿💙🥰

[@SteveL2012]

Viburnum indeed looks fantastic! This is great and timely content going into Fall.

[@franconianable]

Thanks for sharing. Always enjoy your uploads.

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

I did turn my hydrangea to a tree form and I'm so happy with the outcome. Thanks for a great idea

[@Carl-iw9sy]

Our lot is about 1/4 acre and this exactly what we have planned to create fairly quickly shaded areas for hostas, etc. while we for our trees to grow. Thanks for sharing.

[@mkb7997]

Very enlightening with great examples.

[@CajunBlooms]

Tree your sunshine ligustrum. It looks good that way. I waited until after it rained to determine how much top needed to be clipped.

[@judymooney2993]

What a lush garden you have made. This video was so timely for my garden as I have several hydrangeas drooping and growing over the pathway. I decided they needed to be treed up so I now know this is the solution. I was happy to hear that Linda Vater in OK mentioned you in one of her videos. What a community of gardeners. Happy to join the group.

[@jcking6785]

Thanks for another great video. I’ve been limbing up trees and shrubs for years - it’s a favorite look of mine in the garden. Just wish I could grow some of your z7 plants so I could raise their skirts in my z6 area. 😊

[@vytcrexyj]

indeed, I have a narrow and shady garden, so decided to make trees from some shrubs to save some space and to put other plants beneath. in spring i planted Photinia Red Robin. and this week I've bought Hortensia Phantom with quite a long one branch which i will keep as a trunk... your video about Hortensia tree was very useful for me!

[@topaz3468]

This is so helpful!! Trying my first limb-up experiment this year. Doing very nicely so far. Will try a Rosalinda and viburnum next season. 🌻

[@timgarner1957]

Reminds me of espalier..so interesting...love to form a fruit tree into a living fence.. Thanks for another awesome video

[@passepartoot]

I’ve started limbing up my ‘Ever Red’ loropetalum and my multi-trunk loquat. Both have lovely bark when they become small trees. Mine are racing to treedom. I’m reverse-limbing up my Teddy Bear and Bracken’s Brown Beauty southern magnolias. I want them full to the ground. That’s working, too.

[@dianegentry3255]

Great video Jim!

[@esli44]

so neat! I loved this video!

[@betsyschaffitzel1044]

Awesome content! You explain so clearly! Thank you! I’m wondering if I can do this to Oakleaf Hydrangeas?? (Missouri!

[@on4acres]

Works great with Amur maples, you can turn those into some impressive trees.

[@cathy8819]

Good video. Recently saw a gold lace juniper limped up, it looked stunning. Now I need one in my garden 😂

[@marysanders520]

❤this was awesome ty

[@katieking7671]

Edgeworthia gorgeous

[@kso808]

Is there a rule of thumb as to how old a shrub can be after which it should not be limbed up? I’m thinking of a multi-trunked Yuletide camellia. Thanks!

[@lisajelle714]

Camellias are supposed to take very well to trimmimg

[@robinrowell1808]

Could you treeform a sunshine ligustrum? a large lorepetulum?

[@dia9491]

I am removing my encore azaleas from the front flower bed and I’m going to try to tree form them.

[@AlenAbdula]

I enjoy these videos even tho I don't grow flowers or shrubs! 😋

[@rnguyen2516]

Hi Jim, the best time to do this with the snowball viburnum is late winter/early spring?

[@GrowRoots23]

Hi Jim!! Great timing for this video, I plan to tree up my Sunshine Ligustrum. I'm in Texas and zone 8a and we have 100+ degree temps every day. Should I wait until fall to do this, or do you think it will survive the tree pruning ok in the heat?

[@lene9137]

I limbed up my grey dogwood bushes, but after a heavy rain the branches just did a complete flat out and never recovered. I dont know how to fix except pruning the btanches really short.

[@VictoriaLeo-pg3wu]

Everything looks great! I have 7 limelights and I would like to tree form a few, when is the time of year to do the cutting? Mine have a ton of little branches at the bottom. Thank you!

[@KR-os6nn]

That fig tree grew five feet in 4-5 weeks? I need it. Do you have a video on it? How long does it take and what does it need to get established and to grow like that?

[@pauldaniels-k9y]

Is Hydrangea paniculata the only type of hydrangea that can be tree formed?

[@katieking7671]

Good tip

[@rebeccaspence2989]

I much prefer pruning up that way

[@FMiller-xn8oz]

I’d like to know where the Macrocephalum Viburnum came from.

[@jamhight6039]

Can you limb up sunshine ligustrum? Love your channel!

[@need2laugh]

Yes! Mine is about 10 ft tall.

[@ramgiberson7180]

❤🙏wonderful!!I love it.

[@karenschwartz5209]

Nice 😊

[@trishferrer8209]

??? Can an American Beautyberry be tree-limbed?

[@jul7673]

Two of mine limbed themselves, which is good bc they can get huge. Seem to tolerate me planting underneath them just fine.

[@sterlgirlceline]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@dorindajenkins7825]

🙋

[@katieking7671]

Plant collectors