Photo: Karelj, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Tree
Scotch laburnum: when and how to prune
Laburnum alpinum
Scotch laburnum is best pruned in July–August.
| Pruning months | July–August |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in July–August |
| Flowering | May–June |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Scotch laburnum: when to prune it?
Prune in summer, in July–August: it bleeds least then and the wounds close before winter.
Scotch laburnum: how to prune it?
- Cut off spent racemes and young pods before they ripen.
- Remove dead, damaged and crossing branches.
- Remove shoots at the base of the trunk.
- Do not cut thick branches: large wounds heal poorly.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–August.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in July–August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Scotch laburnum flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Wear gloves when clearing pods and prunings, and never throw them into a chicken run or field. Scotch laburnum is poisonous: wear gloves and keep clippings away from children, pets and livestock.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Scotch laburnum · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.