How to cut back boxwood trees

Garden Life

To keep boxwood trees in shape, they should be cut back at least twice a year. The first cut should be made between May and the beginning of July. The second cut should be carried out at the beginning of September at the latest. The ideal time for cutting back boxwood trees is indicated by the fact that the new shoots are no longer light green but have taken on the same dark green hue as the other leaves. For boxwood trees it is best to cut them in rainy or cloudy weather so that the new cuts cannot dry out due to sunlight. Cutting too late should also be avoided, as otherwise the new shoots do not mature sufficiently by winter and these places may then freeze more easily. With younger boxwood tree hedges, you can achieve thick branches and bushy growth by cutting two to three times.

Hardly any other plant is more suited to topiary than boxwood. The most popular shape for this is a sphere. But cones are also popular with keen gardeners. To achieve good, even boxwood shapes of both types, a few things are important for a perfect cut.

Boxwood tree sphere:

It is best to use templates to cut your boxwood tree to the correct shape. Measure the diameter of your boxwood tree sphere in order to produce a template. Then draw the measured diameter on firm cardboard or a thin wooden panel. Cut out the semi-circle that you have drawn. Now hold this template against the boxwood tree sphere and cut it neatly into shape, for example with the GARDENA Accu Shrub Shears.

Boxwood tree cone:

A boxwood tree cone can also be quickly cut into shape with a few simple steps: When cutting a boxwood tree cone into shape, it is important to ensure that you promote growth in width and that the trunk grows straight. As a cutting aid, use bamboo canes if possible and place these in a conical shape around your boxwood tree cone. Tie the canes together at the top so that a nice cone is formed. Then cut back your boxwood tree cone along the bamboo canes until you achieve a nicely cut boxwood tree cone. Regularly look at the pruned shape from a certain distance while cutting. Check whether the shape is evenly cut. This is the best way to detect unevenness. Be very careful when correcting, as mistakes are easily made.