Comments on: Hat Racking Hollies

By: Becky Robert

Becky Robert — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:21:01 +0000

In reply to http://www.treetrimmingtemecula.com.

I hope your project worked, John.

Sincerely,
Becky Robert
Scott Arboretum

By: Becky Robert

Becky Robert — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 13:45:18 +0000

In reply to john.

Dear John,
Glad you found inspiration.

Happy Gardening!
Becky Robert
PR and Volunteer Programs Coordinator

By: john

john — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 22:18:02 +0000

Gorgeous landscape! I got so many ideas here,

By: www.treetrimmingtemecula.com

www.treetrimmingtemecula.com — Fri, 29 May 2015 02:09:50 +0000

This would work on my garden too. I will definitely try this out.

By: Andrew Bunting

Andrew Bunting — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:53:52 +0000

Yes, this can be applied to Japanese hollies.

Andrew Bunting, Curator

By: PJ

PJ — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:26:38 +0000

Would this work for Japanese Hollies as well?

By: Andrew Bunting

Andrew Bunting — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:07:29 +0000

This article is about “hatracking” hollies specifically. We would never suggest this type of pruning on any other type of plant, but for hollies, in particular, Ilex opaca, Ilex x koehneana, and other tree-form hollies with a central leader this is an effective way to rejuvenate and large and overgrown trees. We have several large and overgrown American hollies at the Scott Arboretum that are encroaching on buildings, etc. We use this practice to reduce the overall size of the plant. The result is that within two years we have a beautifully shaped holly that is often 25% its orginal size. There is no follow up pruning necessary with hollies, because we desire a thick twiggy and dense look. For all other trees at the Arboretum we follow the latest and approved arboriculture practices. This practice would be very counter productive on any other type of tree species.

Andrew Bunting, Curator

By: Wayne Tyson

Wayne Tyson — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 00:01:16 +0000

This “technique” is popular with “professional” tree-pruners who may want to have to come back year-after-year and extract more and more sap from the customers bank account, as it causes flushes of growth (many, many “suckers” and green in the “professionals’ pockets) that require immediate follow-up pruning if a tangled mess of intercrossing branchlets/branches is to be avoided. “Heading” should almost always be avoided, but when branches must be shortened they should be cut back to a lateral, which itself should be tied into the position desired to restore the tree’s form. Even then, heading of heavy branches will result in a tangle of branchlets, which should all be removed except the one selected to take over at the cut. Usually it is far better to remove an entire branch than to “head back.” “Hatracking” and entire tree is almost always bad practice for which there is no reasonable excuse. “It ain’t rocket science,” but there are well-established principles of pruning that are widely available in easy-to-understand books.
“Hatracking” may be “cheaper” (costlier in the long-run) expedient, but it is hardly acceptable, much less professional practice.

Responsible tree care should not be delayed until chain saws are required. A truly good professional pruner, if retained every year, should be able to properly train tree growth with hand pruners and an occasional hand saw for times when mistakes have been made in the previous year or two. That is cheaper than butchering a tree ever five or ten years or more. A properly trained young tree should grow into a mature one that requires little, if any, further methods. Neglected for years, however, a badly misshapen tree will sometimes require drastic, dangerous, and expensive cutting or removal. Branch and tree falls that all to frequently kill, maim, and damage or destroy property, people, and other animals are often blamed on “an act of God.” If a human planted or mismanaged a tree, no matter how well-intentioned, the resulting disaster can hardly be blamed on The Creator.

By: Becky Robert

Becky Robert — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:28:49 +0000

In reply to Andrew Bunting.

Bartlett Tree Expert Co. also offers a 10% discount on all services to Scott Arboretum members. Follow this link for details http://www.scottarboretum.org/membership/discountprogram.html

By: Andrew Bunting

Andrew Bunting — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:16:10 +0000

Frank,

I would try to find an arborist who can do this type of pruning. You might even want to show them this blog. For this type of work on campus we would use Bartlett Tree Care. Our local rep is John Studdy.

Andrew Bunting, Curator