Gardening is a wonderful strategy for adjusting to the new fall weather conditions. Many of the popular bushes and trees could now be cut back. You just have to know exactly which and how to do it. In October you can still cut the cherry laurel, so the beautifully shaped hedges will bring joy to your garden. Autumn is the most favorable time for this. In the spring, various birds often nest there. This is quite unfavorable for a pruning. After all, we want to enjoy the birdsong in our garden, don’t we?
It is best to cut the cherry laurel in June
Why should you cut the cherry laurel at all?
The cherry laurel is a popular, but originally exotic and very invasive plant. It ensures a good privacy screen and is very practical from this point of view. The downside, however, is that its growth could spiral out of control. By pruning, you control the size of this hedge and shape it into the shape you want. Proper pruning is also important for growth. Ideally, the laurel and any other hedge should actually be a little wider in the lower area. If all parts of the plant get enough sunlight, the plant will develop well. The annual topiary serves this purpose, among other things.
Until the end of October it is not too late to cut back the cherry laurel
How much should you cut the cherry laurel?
How much you have to cut the cherry laurel depends in large part on the type of plant. Some just grow much earlier than others. Above all, you should observe the development of the hedge crown. If it spreads too much, sunlight will only penetrate the central parts of the plant to a limited extent. This results in the bare, not too full appearance of some laurel hedges. So only prune the laurel back enough to ensure proper access of sunlight from all parts of the plant.
If you don’t cut back the cherry laurel, it will be bald from the inside
The right time for the pruning
The right season
In principle, you could cut back the cherry laurel all year round. However, that would be a bit risky on the cold days in winter. Even the most skilful pruning puts a strain on the tree and its branches and leaves clearly need regeneration afterwards. This works much easier and faster on the beautiful summer days. By pruning back in the spring, you risk scaring away nesting birds and damaging their offspring. Finally, it would be ideal if you prune the cherry laurel in June or July. Did you miss this moment? You could still do that until the end of October. However, check the weather forecast beforehand. After the cut, there should preferably be at least a few nicer days and no low temperatures below 10 degrees.
It’s best to use hand tools for cutting so you don’t ruin the beautiful leaves
The right time of day
Not only the season, but also the time of day is important for the right pruning. In the summer, choose the afternoon when the sun isn’t shining as strongly. So the inner leaves and branches that have been in the shade for the past few months will not be broken from the sudden exposure in the hot sun. In autumn, the morning would be ideal on pleasant days. The temperatures that will rise afterwards would certainly do the cherry laurel plant that has just been pruned back well.
The cherry laurel grows very quickly, so it would have to be cut back annually.
How do you do the editing?
The right tool
You prefer not to use electric cutters. This usually causes severe damage to the robust branches and leaves of the cherry laurel plant. If anything, access these cutters during the warm months. Especially now in autumn there is a great danger that these and the leaves will not be able to regenerate. Instead, prefer to use hand-held cutting tools such as pruning shears.
method
The correct strategy for pruning cherry laurel would be to start on the sides first. This is the finer work, for which you need more patience. Take a close look to see which parts of the plant are particularly striking in front of the other outstanding ones. Be strategic when trimming branches. True, you need to achieve a nice and even shape. At the same time, there should be no bald spots due to excessive pruning. You can be braver when cutting back the crown. Even if you cut off a little too much there, you won’t see it from the side.
Cut so that the middle and lower parts of the plant get enough sunlight
Strong cutback
You can combine the reduction of the plant crown with a radical cut. In the middle, a few older branches may be shortened more. This will encourage the growth of the plant next year. This will make her look fuller and livelier.
summary
So you absolutely have to cut the cherry laurel once a year. The most favorable months for this are June and July. However, you could still carry out this activity until the end of October, i.e. this year. Pay attention to our tips for pruning during the different times of the day and seasons. The aim of the pruning is to prevent the plant from spreading too much and becoming bare. So you have a full, lively privacy screen that looks stylish and well-groomed at the same time.
With the right care, you can preserve the beautiful appearance of the cherry laurel hedge
You should cut back the crown of the plant the most
Prune in the afternoon in summer and in the morning in autumn
