Persian silk tree: when and how to prune

Persian silk tree: when to prune it?

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It needs little pruning. Only prune in June, once the leaves are out and you can see which branches have survived the winter.

What else to prune in those months? June

Persian silk tree: how to prune it?

1. Cut frost-killed shoot tips back to living wood, just above a leaf or bud.
2. Remove crossing and low-hanging branches to keep a neat umbrella shape.
3. On young trees, choose one or a few strong trunks and remove competing shoots.
4. Never saw off large branches: big wounds heal poorly.

How much to cut, and how often?

• One pruning period a year: June.
• 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 June can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• Persian silk tree flowers in July–August, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
• 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.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Almond tree
• Apricot tree
• Beech
• Cherry tree
• Field maple
• Hawthorn

Plant profile: Persian silk tree · Pruning calendar and basic rules