umbrella tree (schefflera)

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victoriav Bourbonnais, IL Sep 07, 2015

I am scared to trim my umbrella tree it is over 6 ft tall and seems to be sprouting on the trunk. all the leaves are green and healthy. we put it outside in the summer for more sun light but it seems overwhelming when we put in the house for the winter. I would like to hack it down but am afraid that it will die. right now we have it supported with a tree branch because it is so heavy. please help

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DaisyPlantLady Reno, NV(Zone 6b) Sep 07, 2015

Hack away. You won't kill it. Before you start, study your plant and decide what you would like it to look like and how big you think it should be. Cut back main stems to leaf nodes that are going in the direction you want branches to go. Cut side branches back to desired width and shape.

And you can start new plants from your cuttings.

Post #10138894
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tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Sep 08, 2015

It's better to cut your plant back earlier in the growth cycle (for you - early June), rather than so late. The more foliage you remove, the more your tree's ability to make food is reduced (a plant's FOOD is the sugar it makes during photosynthesis), which means your plant will rely more heavily on energy reserves over the winter and will start the next growth cycle with low energy reserves. Having a plan is always a good thing. I would remove the least amount of foliage as possible before bringing it in, and plan a much more severe reduction in Jun. If your plant hasn't been repotted recently, it's growth rate and level of vitality is probably being severely limited by root congestion, so I'd make a full repot with root-pruning and a complete change of soil (that means bare-rooting) to a medium you can water to beyond saturation, at will, w/o concern that an extended period of soggy soil will cause roots to rot/die or significantly impair root function.

Generally speaking, it's better to get into a rhythm that works with the natural rhythms of the plant instead of against them. For most houseplants, that's pretty easy. Repot (different and more involved than simply potting up) or do your serious pruning work in the month prior to the plants most robust growth. There are some exceptions to that rule (citrus, azalea, datura, brugs, hibiscus) get repotted a bit earlier in the spring, just prior to when the plant starts to get serious about growing or as it shows signs of coming out of a consequential dormant period.

Al

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Post #10139409
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DaisyPlantLady Reno, NV(Zone 6b) Sep 09, 2015

The Scheff won't fit back into the house and is sprouting from the trunk. It needs to be pruned now. Don't repot until spring when it is actively growing again.

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