Forming cutting is a very general expression, behind which there is a whole series of care works related to keeping woody plants in the desired shape.A model example of a forming cut are elegant green figures imitating human figures, animals or still life objects.In professional jargon they are called topiar. The definition of forming pruning, however, is much broader - it also includes the running (and regular trimming) of bonsai and hedges.
Woody plants in the shape of spheres, cones, cylinders or cubes have been decorating our garden for years.Currently, one of their characteristic varieties is gaining popularity: high-growing species.An excellent visual effect is obtained especially in plantings arranged against a uniform background and clearly distinguishable from the perennials, grasses and shrubs growing in their surroundings
In handling the plants, patience is the most important thing - several years must pass before the raised bush can take the regular shape of a geometric solid. The shoots of the bushes must be regularly trimmed so that the crown continues to grow and thicken. Those who do not like to wait can take a shortcut, supplying shrubs from the nursery, often already partially trimmed. The offer of nurseries is dominated by evergreen boxwood, in addition to it, there are also, among others, holly and yew.
Forming cutting in practice
In August, we finish forming hedges of always green leafy plants, such as boxwood and eastern laurel. We form a common and round-leaved privet, common beech, hornbeam, linden and plane trees.
The appearance of the hedge can be effectively improved by giving the shrubs a geometric form or cutting out passages and windows into it. For plants intended for hedge or dividing planting, a strip of soil of at least 60 cm should be separated (the final width depends on the preferred species). Most of the camouflage evergreen hedge plantings consist of densely planted privets, cypresses and yew trees. Hornbeam, European beech and barberry are best suited for deciduous hedges.
A special category among hedges are plantings of high-growing plants, irreplaceable in sunscreen plantings. They can be arranged from trees planted in rows, leading their crown in the form of an umbrella.With time, the shoots form a composite roof, which is a kind of crown set on tall shoots.High-stem plantings do not protect against the view so effectively. from the street, nevertheless guarantee good protection from the sun and are an attractive alternative to the traditional pergola.This idea can also be implemented in small gardens.
Plantings modeled on canopies, arranged from 4 trees planted on a square plan and delineating its tops, are perfect here. With time, properly managed shoots turn into a vault that casts a luminous shadow. The best deciduous trees for standard hedges are plane and lime trees.
Bonsai occupies a special position among formed trees and shrubs. They are called the elite. They gained recognition as an integral part of plantings in the Far East style.Bonsai harmoniously fit into a neat grassy environment, even gravel surfaces and water arrangements.Contrary to geometrically trimmed hedges or topiar, bonsai reflects the natural form of trees. Miniatures of pine, juniper, common hornbeam, dogwood and euonymus should look like they grew up in natural conditions and have been facing the elements for decades - gusty winds and torrential rains.
A characteristic feature of bonsai are cushion-shaped clusters of leaves or needles.Every lover of these plants knows perfectly well that running trees is a tedious, multi-stage work that never ends, because the trees need to be cared for regularly throughout his life.So, e.g. each spring, we use a pruner to remove two-thirds of all newly sprouted shoots.
Example of forming a green gate
Bushes intended for green gates should be planted approximately 120 cm apart. With time, as the plants grow, this distance should decrease to approx. 80-90 cm.When the hedge is two meters high, start the shoots of the neighboring bushes so that they overlap.For this purpose, trim them at least twice a year. At the same time, we lead the shoots along an arched metal support, fixed at the main shoots of both shrubs.
