If the box has grown too big or hasn't been cut for too long, it's time to cut it down vigorously. Like many other trees, the boxwood will sprout again from the old wood.
The best time for a heavy pruning is in spring
Uncut book aged
Boxwoods look their best when they show dense, well-branched growth. However, they only get this through regular pruning, which keeps the plants in shape. On the other hand, if they are not cut, they will begin to bare from the inside after a few years. This in turn has the consequence that the bush is falling apart more and more and is no longer so close together.
Radical cut for the unsightly book
A radical pruning can remedy this and trim the box that has lost its shape. However, there are a few rules to be observed, because boxwood takes a great deal of effort to sprout again from the old wood. If you set back the bush too much, it will look quite unsightly for a few years before it develops fresh shoots again.
- If possible, do not put Buchs back “on the stick”.
- Instead, cut it back no more than a third.
- New growth from the old wood takes a long time.
- Therefore, if possible, only cut the new shoots.
- If you want the box to grow and get bigger, leave a remnant of the new shoot on the bush.
- Fertilize and water your boxwood after pruning to allow it to recover quickly and develop new shoots.
- Mulch it to keep moisture in the soil longer and prevent drought damage.
Do not use electric scissors for pruning, as they will crush the leaves and shoots of the bush. The resulting injuries offer fungi and other pathogens an ideal gateway.
When is the right time to cut?
In general, you should beware of fungi as pathogens. In the course of every pruning measure, the Buchs runs the risk of being infected by fungal pathogens. To prevent this, follow these safety instructions:
- Never cut in the rain.
- Always use sharp and sanitized cutting tools.
- Don't prune too late in the year.
In principle, boxwood can be pruned between April and September, but a much earlier date is recommended for a radical pruning: If possible, grab the scissors before they sprout in early spring so that the wood can sprout through quickly and develop new shoots.
tips
An early pruning also has a certain protective effect against infection with the box tree dieback or the box tree moth.