Kogafortwo
ArboristSite Guru
I have a residential job coming up over the holidays: a homeowner wants his old overgrown boxwoods & hollys cut WAAAYYYY back. I have done big cutbacks and major rejuvenation pruning before, but only on my own shrubs and over 2 or 3 seasons.
On this job I want to get in and back out with one big cutback & prune. Here are some stats:
- we are in zone 8b coastal SC
- the shrubs have been in the ground for years = very well established root systems
- it's dormant time here right now, so major pruning is OK but preferred would be January - February
- boxwoods & holly shrubs are like weeds, they always grow
How far can I cut these back and still have them resurrect in the spring? Can I take them down to stalks w/o leaves and expect them to grow again? That's what all the hacks do down here with crape myrtle trees and they grow like weeds.
Two more notes:
1. Don't wanna be a hack, I only do what I am capable of and what will have a good result
2. I already warned the guy that he will think his shrubs are murdered until April or so when they come back
See picture - big shrubs covering front of house. Advice appreciated!
On this job I want to get in and back out with one big cutback & prune. Here are some stats:
- we are in zone 8b coastal SC
- the shrubs have been in the ground for years = very well established root systems
- it's dormant time here right now, so major pruning is OK but preferred would be January - February
- boxwoods & holly shrubs are like weeds, they always grow
How far can I cut these back and still have them resurrect in the spring? Can I take them down to stalks w/o leaves and expect them to grow again? That's what all the hacks do down here with crape myrtle trees and they grow like weeds.
Two more notes:
1. Don't wanna be a hack, I only do what I am capable of and what will have a good result
2. I already warned the guy that he will think his shrubs are murdered until April or so when they come back
See picture - big shrubs covering front of house. Advice appreciated!