Photo: Lumbar~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Mastic tree: when and how to prune
Pistacia lentiscus
Mastic tree is best pruned in April.
| Pruning months | April |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Mastic tree: when to prune it?
In April, when it goes back outside; a light trim in summer if needed.
What else to prune in those months? April
Mastic tree: how to prune it?
- Cut out dead and frost-damaged twigs back to healthy wood.
- Shorten long shoots to keep the shrub compact; it regrows well, even from older wood.
- For a small standard, gradually remove the lower side branches and let a crown develop at the top.
- Wear gloves if you prune a lot: the sticky resin clings to your hands.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- 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: Do not prune in autumn: the new, soft shoots would then freeze in winter.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Mastic tree · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.