Pruning Elaeagnus for mass

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Gashmore Macon, GA Oct 08, 2014

I have a long driveway, the first 250' runs past my neighbor's carport with a 40' wide strip with a few pines and small oaks between. Over the past 3 to 5 years I planted a barrier screen of Elaegnus Pungens. Plants are about 8' apart randomly placed. The intent is to let the plants grow to form an irregular more or less natural screen 8 to 12' high. The basic form of the older plants is now 4 to 5' in diameter with 6 to 10 individual spires arching up and out 8 to 10'.

In order to incourage filling in to the intended size as quickly as possible should I reduction prune the spires to incourage more spires or just let nature take it's course? I have a really nice elaegnus screen hiding the machinery barn and garden work yard but I planted it 30 years ago and I would like to be around when this screen fills in.

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Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA(Zone 6b) Oct 09, 2014

I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to prune it but if it were mine, I'd let it go. Let nature run its course on these guys and it will look beautiful.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Oct 13, 2014

It would be a good idea to snip out the growing tips from the side shoots to encourage a more and thicker bushy growth, you don't say IF the plants are variegated, IF they are, then as soon as you see ALL GREEN foliage, remove this or in time, the plane green growth will take over faster that you think and IF you have to remove lots of those shoots from the same individual plant, the plant will look out of shape.

When these plants are grown as hedges like yours are, the best time to prune the established hedging plants is JUNE and if required, again in September.
While your newer hedge is still required to put more height, dont remove the growing tip at the top but just snip off the lower side shoots, after pruning it would be a good idea to give a multi purpose feed, (granule) feeds are best as you can hand fork or rake the granules into the soil so the rain cant wash it away or at watering time.
Do keep in mind IF this hedge is close to windows and doors, the flowers attract bees and wasps as well as many other pollin feeders, so be careful, they also encourage lovely butterflies too, how wonderful.
Good luck, hope this helps you out a little.
Kindest Regards.
WeeNel.

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