Pruning a Schefflera

krystyna1937

15 years ago

Hello everybody,

I've been away from this Forum for some time and now I'd like to get reacquainted. I need a little advice. A friend was given a Schefflera a few years ago. It had already been started as a bonsai wannabe. It seems that she has done nothing to it all this time and it is now weak, rangy and leggy, with tufts of a few leaves about 12"-15" from the base - in other words, it's a wreck. She asked my advice and I cannot for the life of me decide how drastically I should cut the thing back to a base that will give it some shape and proportion. Do I leave a few leaves on or do I eliminate them along with the branches. It goes without saying that the whole thing needs to be repotted, roots trimmed etc.

Is it too soon to prune? How much can we prune?

Thanks for all input, Krys

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Comments (2)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
15 years ago
How much work a tree will tolerate depends primarily on what it's state of vitality is, and what part of the growth cycle it's in. Now is a poor time to be doing major work on tropical trees, especially so if they happen to be extremely stressed. If you prune the tree now, even though it will retain SOME ability to carry on photosynthesis in green stem tissue, you essentially cut off its food supply. What you need to do is determine what the primary issue(s) is/are, and correct so the tree can gain some strength to tolerate work in the summer, and while there is still a good period of robust growth in front of it.

How about a picture? Can you supply one?

{{gwi:3149}}

Al
krystyna1937
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi tapla,
I agree with you and you've said pretty much what I expected. I'll talk with my friend soon and see about a picture.
Thanks. Krys
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