The crown of a plane tree can easily be trained into a flat, green roof through pruning. It's a good place to stay underneath in the summer. In order for the tree to retain this shape year after year, it must be diligently thinned out.
How do you cut a plane tree into a roof shape?
To cut a plane tree into a roof shape, choose a suitable time such as summer or winter, use sharp and disinfected tools and cut vertical new shoots back to the main branch. Preserve main shoots, tie branches that shoot out to the sides flat or remove them and remove dead shoots all year round.
Raising young plane trees
Nursery schools offer already trained trees that you can plant in the garden and from then on just have to keep in shape. However, these trees are not affordable for everyone. The plane tree can also be easily propagated and trained into a roof shape by amateurs.
- choose a specimen that has just grown
- cut the top area completely
- remove all vertically growing branches
- build a horizontal trellis made of bamboo sticks in the crown
- weave horizontally growing branches into the trellis
Note:As soon as the branches are strong enough and stable in their position, the bamboo frame can be removed again.
Time for care cuts
The experts disagree here. While some recommend two summer cuts, others speak of one summer and one winter cut. Some even recommend a combination of both.
- the first summer cut takes place before June 24th (St. John's Day)
- the second summer cut takes place at the end of August/beginning of September
- in winter the months of January and February are best
Since no gardener is happy with a lot of pruning appointments, it is worth trying to keep the plane tree in shape with summer pruning only. If this is successful, you can avoid cutting in winter.
The weather on the day of the cut
In winter, the day shouldn't be too frosty, as this makes wound healing more difficult. In summer, full sun should be avoided as the previously covered leaves that are exposed after cutting can burn. A wet day with overcast skies is ideal.
Cutting tool and ladder
You need a long ladder to cut a roof plane tree, otherwise you will hardly be able to reach the branches. Cutting with telescopic scissors is possible, but also very laborious. Garden scissors and pruning scissors (€38.00 on Amazon), which must be sharp and disinfected, are suitable tools so that smooth cuts are made and no diseases are transmitted.
Tip
For larger plane trees, it is easier to trim the crown with hedge trimmers.
How to cut
The plane tree tolerates pruning. Since it grows quickly, it also forgives cutting errors. If you still don't dare to put on the scissors yourself, you can hire a specialist company to do it for you. Otherwise, proceed as follows:
- Do not cut main shoots
- they form the indispensable framework for the roof shape
- cut all vertical new shoots back to the main branch
- Tie branches that shoot out to the side flat or remove if necessary
- remove dead and broken shoots all year round
