table of contents
- Cherry laurel is easy to cut
- Cutting tool
- Expose thick branches
- Cutting thick branches: instructions
- frequently asked Questions
If a cherry laurel can grow unmolested, it will develop excessively strong branches. Simple cutting measures are then usually not enough to shape it again in an appealing way. With our instructions you can cut thick branches on the cherry laurel correctly.
In a nutshell
- Cherry laurel can be radically cut back into the old wood
- cut between early November and late February
- Saw off the branch in two steps, smooth and slightly beveled
- use a sharp, disinfected saw
Cherry laurel is easy to cut
With radical cuts, the gardener always asks himself how deep into the wood he can cut. Because not every shrub can withstand radical pruning and then sprout again as hoped. The cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) does not cause any problems in this regard. It can be cut back into the old wood without hesitation. That means: Even thick branches can be completely removed. The ideal cutting day is frost-free and lightly covered.
Note: Radically cutting thick branches on the cherry laurel allows that Federal Nature Conservation Act only from the beginning of November to the end of February. Violations of these provisions can result in a fine of up to EUR 10,000.
Cutting tool
Get a pair of loppers and a good hand tree saw. Cutting off thick branches leaves large open wounds. These have to be smooth and clean so that they close quickly and properly. Therefore, the tool must be prepared accordingly before cutting:
- Clean the cutting tool
- Sharpen the blades of the loppers
- Grind the saw blade
- disinfect both with alcohol
Tip: Use loppers with a bypass blade to cut the cherry laurel. In contrast to anvil scissors, they leave smoother cut surfaces.
Expose thick branches
Excessive branches usually arise from the base of the shrub. As a result, they are often difficult to access because thinner side branches are in the way. Prepare the pruning by first removing unwanted side branches with the pruning shears.
Tip: When cutting cherry laurel you can poisonous juice leak, which irritates the skin. Therefore, wear gloves and long clothing for all cutting measures.
Cutting thick branches: instructions
It is horticultural practice to remove an overly strong branch only gradually. The reason for this is that thick branches break off easily when cut due to their weight. Canceling will fray the interface. In concrete terms, this means: two cuts are necessary. With the first cut, the largest part is sawed off, with the second cut, the final cut is cut smoothly.
- First of all, determine up to where an overly strong branch should be cut back.
- Do not place the saw at the final cut, but a little further away. A distance of ten centimeters should suffice.
- Saw the branch from below to prevent it from breaking off quickly.
- Then saw from above to the area that has already been sawn off.
- Remove the sawed-off branch so that it does not interfere with further cutting measures.
- Make the final cut by sawing off the remaining stub smoothly at the desired location.
Tip: The final cut should be made at a slight angle from top to bottom so that rainwater can drain off well and rot.
frequently asked Questions
No, an electric hedge trimmer tears up the large leaves of the cherry laurel. As a result, the edges dry up and the shrub becomes unsightly for a long time. Electric sawing tools are also often not suitable for radical cutting of individual, oversized branches. Other nearby branches can be caught, the cuts will not be very smooth. A long, narrow handsaw is best for thick branches.
In small quantities, yes, as cherry laurel rots slowly. Excessive branches should be finely shredded beforehand. Large quantities of clippings belong in the organic waste bin or in the green collection point.
The cherry laurel is one of the fast-growing trees. In a good location, it can gain more than 50 cm in height per year. The growth in latitude is only slightly weaker. So that no radical pruning is necessary, the plant should be cut back vigorously every year.