The easy-care ginkgo grows to a height of 30 or 40 meters without any effort. This takes some time, but a ginkgo tree still needs a lot of space. Simply cutting off the tip because the location is not sufficient is not a good solution.
Is it advisable to cut off the top of a ginkgo tree?
It is possible to carefully trim the top of a ginkgo tree to control its shape or promote a denser crown. Please note, however, that the tree will sprout more in the cut areas and needs enough space for growth.
You can carefully cut a ginkgo into shape, but the ginkgo will sprout more in the cut areas. If you cut off the top, the tree will branch out here too. Maybe that's even desirable because you want your ginkgo to have a nice, dense crown. So before pruning, think about what you want to achieve with it.
Does a ginkgo even need to be cut back?
The ginkgo has survived for millions of years without humans and their pruning shears, so it will continue to survive without pruning in the future. If you are happy with its natural way of growing and the tree is he althy, then you don't need to prune it at all. However, you should remove occasional frost damage and remove dry branches as soon as possible.
Will an incorrectly cut ginkgo recover?
The Ginkgo is so robust that it can withstand quite radical cutting. Nevertheless, you should carefully use a saw (€45.00 on Amazon) or secateurs, because it takes some time for your ginkgo to recover from an incorrect or poorly placed cut. It is not one of the very fast growing plants.
Which cuts keep a ginkgo small?
There are various options for keeping a ginkgo small in the long term. On the one hand, you can cut back the tree yourself, and on the other hand, pruning the root ball also helps. This makes it even possible to grow a ginkgo as a bonsai.
The most important things in brief:
- Pruning encourages new growth
- Topiary cutting possible
- Recovery after an incorrect cut takes time
Tip
Before you simply cut off the tip of a ginkgo, think about what you actually want to achieve by cutting it back.
