About Edward Gulliksen Expertise I can help to diagnose any Tree and Shrub related problem, whether it be a disease or insect infestation.
Experience I am an ISA Certified Arborist, Consulting Arborist and a licensed NYS Pesticide Applicator.
Organizations I am Vice President of the Professional Certified Applicators of Long Island as well as a member of the New York State Arboricultural Association and the Long Island Arboricultural Association.
Publications I write for Long Island.com as the Horticultural Expert.
Question WE moved into a new house, and the sides of the yard and back are encased in boxwood shrubs. However, they were allowed to grow into trees because no one has lived here in forever and no one did anything with them. We have been working on them, trying to bring them down to a good size. It just seems like a lot of work. What can we do to get them to look good again? And please tell me we don't have to remove them all and start over. There are just too many.
Thank you so much.
Answer Sharon,
I would recommend that you prune the boxwoods down in stages. Take no more than 1/3 off each year until they are the height that you wish them to be. Fertilize them in the fall using a low nitrogen fertilizer to help alleiviate any shock that the pruning may cause and keep them well watered through the summer months.
