Whether as a standard, as a bonsai or as a small tree - the sweetgum tree looks simply stunning if it receives the right amount of attention in the form of care. What role does cutting play?

A sweetgum tree also tolerates a stronger pruning

Cutting - not absolutely necessary

You can remain calm, because: You don't necessarily have to cut your sweetgum tree. By nature, this wood has an attractive and harmonious growth. A round to cone-shaped crown develops. While the crown is still narrow when young, it later becomes increasingly ovoid in most varieties.

Things to cut away

However, under certain circumstances, pruning makes sense. In the course of care and less with the intention of shaping, you should cut your sweetgum with pruning shears or a saw if you see the following shoots:

  • old and bald
  • intersecting
  • directed inwards
  • growing downwards
  • ill
  • damaged (e.g. by gusts of wind, lightning, etc.)

The right time to cut

As with most other woody plants, autumn is the perfect time to cut the sweetgum tree. Alternatively, early spring is a good time. But in general you should prefer autumn. In the spring (around April) it is ideal for cutting off shoots that have frostbitten in winter. You can recognize such shoots by the fact that they do not form any leaves.

A summer cut is also possible

If necessary, a cut can even be made in summer. However, this should only be the case if the side branches of the sweetgum hang too low and are therefore a nuisance. Between June and August they can be removed. Larger wounds should be treated with a wound remedy so that no pathogens can penetrate there!

Use clippings to propagate

The clippings don't have to end up in the compost! You can use the one- and two-year-old shoots for propagation. The keyword is: sticks. This is to be noted:

  • 10 to 15 cm long
  • in possession of at least 3 buds
  • stick in potting soil
  • place in a cool place (5 to 12 °C)
  • plant out in spring
  • cuttings can also be obtained in July from young trees

Can a real pruning be tolerated?

The sweetgum tree is so well tolerated by pruning that you can also cut it back more. This can be necessary, for example, if it is too big. It usually grows up to 4 m wide. Rarely, the crown reaches a diameter of up to 8 m.

If the tree is too big and is already reaching out to the neighboring property, cut it back in autumn! At the same time, you can thin it out in the crown area if necessary. He drives through well afterwards.

tips

The 'Gumball' sweetgum tree naturally has a spherical crown and therefore does not need a shape cut either. Perfect as an ornamental tree in a solitary stand!

Category:

Trees