The magnificent witch hazel has an aversion to all kinds of pruning measures. However, for cosmetic reasons it may be advisable to correct minor growth defects with scissors. These instructions explain when and how to properly cut the opulent flowering bush.
How do you cut a witch hazel correctly?
To properly prune a witch hazel, we recommend moderate corrective pruning after flowering. Use pruning shears or pruning shears with a bypass mechanism. Cut back frozen, awkwardly positioned and cross-growing branches, remove dead wood and divert long branches if necessary.
Cutting the witch hazel after flowering
When winter still has a firm grip on the garden, the witch hazel puts on its flower dress. From the end of January until March, the blossoms prepare us for the approaching spring with cheerful splashes of color. Due to the early flowering period, the time window for pruning opens when the flowers have withered.
Slight correction cuts are permitted
With strong cuts you incur the displeasure of the floral beauty. As a result of the unhurried growth, every careless cut leaves a gap that spoils the well-groomed appearance for a long time. As a rule, witch hazel no longer sprouts from old wood. The ornamental tree still tolerates moderate corrective pruning. How to cut with sensitivity:
- Best cutting tool: tree or garden shears with bypass mechanism
- Cut back frozen branches to he althy wood
- Thin out dead wood at the base or on the branch line
- Cut off unfavorably positioned branches that grow into the interior of the bush or crosswise
The younger the witch hazel, the better it can cope with pruning and continue growing. In order to regulate the growth habit, shaping interventions should be completed by the fifth year. On older specimens you should carefully plan each individual cut and consider its necessity.
Cutting witch hazel for the vase
There is nothing wrong with bringing the winter blossoms of a witch hazel into your home. Please cut off flowering branches so that no long stubs remain. Such “coat hooks” attract pathogens and pests.
Drain long branches better – this is how it works
If you find yourself forced to cut a long branch, a special cutting technique reduces the visual impact on the witch hazel. In gardening terms, the cut is called a derivation. This is how it works:
- Choose an outward-facing, young side shoot near the desired interface
- Cut off the worn-out branch at the fork to the young wood
- Place scissors or saw a few millimeters into the old wood
The young side shoot guarantees that there are no noticeable gaps in the bush. From several candidates, choose the shoot that points in the desired direction of growth. Unless you can find a suitable side branch, choose a promising bud as the cutting point.
A derivation cut is also the method of choice if you want to remove old, overly long branches from a witch hazel bush that is too large. If you don't remove more than one or two over-aged branches per year, the witch hazel won't mind this procedure.
Tip
Naughty wild shoots provide the reason for an exceptionally radical cut of a witch hazel. You should promptly remove anything that sprouts below the grafting point. The unwanted water shoots can be identified by differently shaped leaves and a steep upward growth direction. Cut off a wildling at the base or tear off the shoot with a courageous tug.
