Watching a tree grow is magical. Day by day, it slowly grows (without catching our attention). Then, we turn around, and the former sapling is a full-grown, 80’ tree with a sprawling canopy. But what if your tree is getting too tall? Maybe those long branches are going to hit a power line, or on a cherry tree, the fresh fruit is out of reach. Whatever the case, tending to a tree that you want to keep small takes some planning and patience.
Many homeowners want their trees to grow with a wide, spreading canopy rather than tall and narrow. A wide tree provides more shade, feels more substantial in the landscape, and has a beautiful silhouette. While you can’t change a tree’s natural growth habit, you can influence and direct growth when trees are young. With proper pruning and care, it is possible to encourage a tree to grow more outward than upward.
Why Trees Grow Tall
Trees are genetically programmed to grow tall. In the forest, competing for sunlight forces trees to push their crown upward to reach above neighboring trees. Urban trees don’t have competition, but still sense the need to grow tall Their natural growth habit pushes the lead branch skyward and minimizes lateral branching.
While a tall, straighter trunk is desirable for timber trees, homeowners often prefer a wider, bushier habit for ornamental and shade trees. Wider growth provides more shade and often looks fuller or more impressive in the landscape. The challenge is redirecting upward growth tendencies into outward growth patterns. With commitment and diligent pruning when trees are young, it is possible to make a tree grow wider.
How to Make a Tree Grow Wider
The key to widening tree growth is pruning. Two important pruning techniques can help direct growth outward:
<ol>
<li>
<div>
Crown reduction pruning removes unnecessary branches from the tree crown, like a haircut This technique is typically used on mature trees, but can also be useful for young trees Removing upward growth forces the tree to develop new branches from latent buds lower on the trunk and existing lateral branches. This increases foliage density and encourages wider growth.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
Developmental pruning is performed on young trees to help them develop proper branch structure and tree strength. This involves removing competing leaders so the tree crown has a single central leader. Side branches are shortened to direct growth outward. Developmental pruning removes upright branches and opens up the interior crown, letting light filter through. This stimulates sprouting along the undersides and interiors of branches to create a full, rounded crown.
</div>
</li>
</ol>
Developmental pruning is the most effective technique for directing a young tree’s growth habit. The key is being committed to frequent pruning. Widening a tree’s natural form requires diligent pruning over several years as the tree matures.
When to Start Pruning Young Trees
It’s best to begin pruning at planting or shortly after. Pruning at planting removes any branches damaged during transport. It also helps compensate for root loss during transplanting. Pruning immediately directs growth and form before the tree develops a tall, vertical habit.
Most experts recommend waiting 1-2 years after planting before doing major structural pruning. This gives the tree time to overcome transplant shock and become established. Light pruning in the first year is acceptable. Developmental pruning is ideal once the tree appears vigorous and healthy.
How Often to Prune Young Trees
Frequent pruning is needed to properly direct growth on young trees. Pruning every year or two is ideal. Annual light pruning is better than infrequent heavy pruning.
For fast growing trees like silver maple and willows, pruning every year helps direct expanding growth. Slower growing oaks and hickories may need pruning every 2-3 years when branches get excessive. The key is not letting branches grow too large between prunings. Keeping trees pruned to a compact form requires commitment.
Pruning Cuts to Encourage Wider Growth
Specific types of pruning cuts help encourage wider growth by removing vertical shoots and forcing sprouting of lateral buds:
-
Head back – Removing the end of a branch back to a lateral branch collars or buds. This pruning cut removes the strong vertical leader shoot and forces sprouting of latent buds behind the cut.
-
Reduction cut – Shortening a branch back to a smaller lateral branch. This cut removes upright growth and an overextended branch.
-
Thinning cut – Removing a branch back to its point of origin on the trunk. Thinning opens up the interior canopy and stimulates latent buds.
Making proper pruning cuts ensures branch stubs don’t remain. Spreading growth usually requires heading back the central leader and reducing major upright branches annually. Thinning clears out congestion and allows light penetration.
Timing Pruning to Influence Growth
When pruning is done impacts growth response and can help enhance widening:
-
Winter pruning invigorates growth – Pruning during dormancy removes inhibitors and stimulates vigorous regrowth in spring.
-
Summer pruning suppresses growth – Pruning in summer has a dwarfing effect and suppresses regrowth of branches.
-
Late summer pruning impacts extension growth – August pruning reduces shoot elongation more than leaf and flower bud formation.
A combination of winter and late summer pruning works very well to minimize upward growth and invigorate lateral branching. Or just stick to intense pruning in winter annually to widen form.
Factors Affecting Ability to Widen Trees
While consistent pruning when young is key to developing a wider tree, other factors influence success:
-
Tree species – Some trees have a stronger apical dominance or central leader. Oak, poplar, pine, and maple can be challenging to widen.
-
Age – Older trees become set in their form and won’t respond as well. Start pruning at planting.
-
Site conditions – Ideal conditions promote vigorous growth that responds better to pruning.
-
Damage – Major damage to the leader can ruin efforts, causing kinked trunks and poor branch unions.
With care a tree’s natural form can be altered. Just be realistic about expectations. Genetics limit how wide a tree can grow. But with commitment to prompt pruning, you can make almost any young tree grow bushier.
When to Stop Pruning to Widen Trees
At some point, trees become mature and efforts to direct growth sideways become counterproductive. Pruning mature trees often triggers vertical waterspouts and poor branch attachments.
Most experts recommend stopping structural alteration pruning once a tree reaches:
-
10-20 years – Fruit trees are mature and established around 10 years. Ornamental trees may take 15-20 years to become set in form.
-
2/3 of mature height – The typical pruning window is when trees are young and actively growing until they reach about two-thirds of their expected height.
-
Trunk diameter exceeds 4-6 inches – Once trunk diameter is over about 4-6 inches, wound closure is slower. Large pruning wounds can lead to decay.
-
Crown spread meets expectations – Once the crown spread meets your goals for canopy width, switch to maintenance pruning rather than altering form.
The key is not waiting too long. Pruning mature trees to alter form often does more harm than good. Be sure to commit to frequent pruning when trees are young saplings.
Pruning Young Trees for Wider Canopies
Homeowners wanting wide, spreading shade trees should start pruning early and pruning often. The key steps include:
-
Prune at planting then wait 1-2 years for major structural pruning.
-
Prune every 1-2 years to direct growth outward.
-
Make proper reduction, heading, and thinning cuts to force lateral growth.
-
Time pruning to minimize upward growth and stimulate sprouting.
-
Stop trying to alter form once trees mature after 10-20 years.
With diligent pruning and reasonable expectations, it is possible to train young trees to grow with bushy, spreading crowns rather than tall narrow forms. Just be patient and let the tree gradually develop over several years of careful pruning.
Can you keep big trees small by pruning it to keep it short?
Proper pruning is the healthiest way to maintain an ideal tree height and keep your tree’s structure sound. It’s best to start this process when your tree is younger or newly planted. Though, trees that grow in a pyramid shape cannot be pruned this way. If that’s not the case, don’t worry if your tree is well past its youth. Mature trees, too, can be trimmed down to an ideal height over a few years. Keep in mind, though, that older trees don’t have as much energy to recover from heavy pruning, so doing it could hurt them. Whatever you do, don’t consider chopping the top of your tree to keep it small. The limbs will grow back before long, but this time ‘round, they’ll be weaker. Talk about whether you want to cut down on your tree’s height, which will require regular care, or get rid of it and plant a smaller one in its place.
Is it possible to stop a tree from growing taller?
Pruning to reduce tree height is possible, but it’s always going to be an uphill battle (literally). The absolute best way to handle this issue is to avoid it altogether by planting the right tree in the right place. Look at a tree’s height at maturity and make sure you have space for it before planting.
How To Keep Trees Small (Survival Gardener Minute #035)
FAQ
How to make a tree wider?
How do you stop a tree from growing taller?
Does topping a tree make it grow wider?
What should I do if my tree is growing too big?
If your tree is growing too large for its space, consider these two pruning methods. . Crown reduction pruning removes unnecessary branches from the tree crown, like a haircut. The process relieves stress on the tree while bringing the sun back to your yard and trimming back encroaching branches.
Can you stop a tree from growing taller?
Again, you can’t stop a tree from growing taller, but you can limit tree height (if you do it the right way). As a general guideline, you rarely want to remove more than one fourth of the tree’s living canopy at once because then your tree may not have enough energy to create the food it needs.
How to limit tree height and keep big trees small?
Learn how you can limit tree height and how to keep big trees small. You can’t actually stop a tree from growing taller or stunt the growth of a tree, but you can limit tree height by pruning it to keep it small. You can even keep a cherry tree or oak tree small by pruning it the right way.
How do you keep a big tree small?
Look at a tree’s height at maturity and make sure you have space for it before planting. Can you keep big trees small by pruning it to keep it short? Proper pruning is the healthiest way to maintain an ideal tree height and keep your tree’s structure sound. It’s best to start this process when your tree is younger or newly planted.
Do you need an arborist if your tree is too tall?
Remove too much at once, and you risk losing your tree. Plus, if you must use a ladder (and a pruning tool) to remove those high tree limbs, that tree is too big for you to prune safely. If you want to limit tree height, you should opt for an arborist to handle this because expertise is a necessity! Ready to reduce your tree’s height the right way?
Should you cut the top of a tree to keep it small?
Whatever you do, don’t consider chopping the top of your tree to keep it small. The limbs will grow back before long, but this time ‘round, they’ll be weaker. Also, discuss if you want to reduce the height of your tree, which will recover regular maintenance, or remove and replace it with a smaller tree.