The witch hazel, also known by the Latin name Hamamelis, is relatively robust and resilient. However, it reacts quite sensitively to some circumstances, including a lack of water in summer and an unprofessional or radical cut.
How do I prune my witch hazel correctly?
The witch hazel should only be pruned carefully by removing old, dry branches and twigs and thinning the plant slightly. Avoid radical cutting and use clean, sharp tools for optimal results.
If you have chosen the location for your witch hazel well, namely sunny or in partial shade and with loose, nutrient-rich soil, then the plant requires little care. As long as the soil is moist, you don't even need to water your witch hazel. If it doesn't feel well, it shows this clearly through stunted growth and poor or no flowers.
How do I prune the witch hazel correctly?
When it comes to witch hazel, you should only remove old, dry branches and twigs because it is very intolerant of pruning. You may want to thin out your witch hazel slightly after it has bloomed. It grows very slowly, so it doesn't need any serious pruning. Gaps caused by a cut only close after a long time and cuts heal very slowly.
So it's better not to prune the witch hazel at all than to attack it too much with secateurs. However, if it is necessary, only use clean and very sharp tools so that you do not injure your witch hazel unnecessarily.
When making a light topiary cut, only cut off relatively young shoots, not thick branches that are standing in sap. On the one hand, the cut leaves unsightly gaps, and on the other hand, it weakens the plant.
What happens to my witch hazel after a radical cut?
If the witch hazel is pruned too much, it will take care of itself. She needs a lot of time to recover. In the first few years after cutting too radically, the witch hazel will not bloom. In the worst case scenario, the witch hazel will even die. So it's better to avoid radical cutting and only very carefully shape your witch hazel into the desired shape.
Important cutting tips for witch hazel:
- prune as little as possible
- Avoid radical cuts
- lighten only slightly
- remove dry twigs and branches
- only use clean and sharp tools
Tip
Prune your witch hazel very carefully, it quickly resents a bold cut and the damage caused can be seen for a long time.
