I did a baaaaad thing

I couldn't stand the looks of my Forsythia shrub (I use the term "shrub" very loosely) any longer. It was a 10' tall mass of tangled branches, criss-crossed, some pointing skyward and some draping the ground (and layering themselves into mini-me forsythia shrub-ettes all over the place.) Couldn't hardly get a mower near the thing, and certainly couldn't get UNDER it to keep the creeping charlie from creeping.

DH and I pruned it sufficiently (we thought) this spring after it bloomed, but apparently that just sent its growth hormones into overdrive. Soooooo, armed with loppers, a pruning saw and my pruners I went after it, and it's now an almost-graceful, airy shrub that's about 6' tall, with about 20-25 (mostly one-year-old) branches that nicely arch over to within 3' of the ground (see the photo) Funny thing is, my children seemed very, very afraid of me when I came back inside. Guess they figured if I could be that ruthless with a shrub...well, they should watch their step *grin*

I know I may rue my impulsive decision come next February/March, but I had reached the point that I figured I'd rather sacrifice a year's worth of blooms than stare at that hideous mound for another year. I *did* manage to restrain myself for a few weeks while the baby wrens prepared to leave the nest that was in the center of it ;o)

I'm thinking I might even plant a mass of pale yellow and white daffodils beneath it this fall. At least there'll be SOME color in that general vicinity.

Anybody else ever act on that urge to prune even when you know it's wrong, wrong, wrong????

Oh yah, I hear you. Just want to clean up sometimes.

Terry, my entire yard quivers when I come out with the loppers!! Such a satisfying way to spend an afternoon...

Terry I think I need to turn you loose on mine.

With all the rain we've had, you can come and lop at our house anytime you want!

Terry, It can be very therapeutic!!

Therapeutic for me, but probably not for the plant *grin*

I should post a picture of prunings - it's far larger than what I left intact ;o)

Terry, I think you did a very good thing, not bad. It surely must look a lot better than before and i think next spring you will be happy you clipped it so well. Donna

Terry sometimes I get the chainsaw after the rohdies hey weak stuff dies and strong stuff lives at my house. Now miss right to life in the other room has different ideas about pruning than I do . Can you immagine a difference of opinion. Ernie

Ernie, not to aid and abet anyone tempted to emulate my bad behavior, but...if given the choice, I'll opt to seek forgiveness over begging permission every time ;o)

Fortunately my DH doesn't care what I do to the shrubbery! Which explains why several yews and the nandinas are but a distant memory, along with an apple tree, a nasty privet, a bridal wreath spiraea (or two), and a couple other things that are long forgotten...

Mine needs the clipper treatment too, it has waaaay overgrown the bed, is hard to mow under the edges and I can't even get to the stepping stone pathway that is supposed to go around one side of it. No bird nest in mine so why am I waiting?

I think it looks great the way you pruned it - and if it was bothering you the way it was before, at least you don't have to look at it that way anymore! I like that wispy airy look you gave it. Much better than looking at an eyesore! :)

Just think...now the neighborhood kids will take notice when you yell. :)

I have several forsythia bushes. I've done the exact same thing and they don't mind it at all.

edited to add:
just walk around your neighborhood with a running chainsaw in your hand. That "really" gets the attention of the neighborhood kids. LOL

This message was edited Jul 1, 2004 2:37 PM

My dad is FAMOUS for his pruning. He goes nuts with the clippers. Its really annoying sometimes cause he has no idea what hes doing.... my poor mom.

TERRY SCISSORHANDS!!!!!

It will be better for the trim. (that is the point of the movie) ; )

hehehehe, well now that you mention it, we've called DD "Edwina Scissorhands" since she was two and discovered cutting instruments. She surreptiously cut her hair, the dog's hair, her clothing, tons of paper, fortunately never herself. One time while cleaning the house, I began discovering scissors hidden EVERYWHERE. (Over several months, I kept buying more scissors, thinking I was misplacing mine - never dreamed the kid had started stashing them around the house so a pair would never be far from hand. My friends' children hid pacifiers in the sofa; mine hid contraband scissors.) Hmmmm. A genetic problem, perhaps?????

Can she spell S-E-C-A-T-E-U-R-S yet?

Watch out!! LOL

Terry, I am always after our Forsythia. It has that same growth habit and I keep pruning it to fit into the bed it's in. Everytime I prune the hormones take over! I am still trying for the shrubby look. It ain't happening! LOL!