I have a Carrotwood tree that is 8 years old. Is it required to continue trimming this biannually?

Answer #1 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Laree-I have grown several Carrotwood trees and normally prune them once a year. I have never heard two prunings a year is recommended. Once they reached the height and width I desire very little pruning is needed. If you need to prune your tree to keep it within bounds twice a year this is fine as these trees can be pruned anytime of the year as they are normally growing all year long in more tropical climates. These trees can grow and become quite dense throughout the canopy which can make them heavy and easily damaged during strong winds. Branches throughtout the middle of the canopy can be cut out to allow more sunlight into the canopy. Prune out any dead, weak, cracked, or damaged limbs that you see. Pruning out some interior branching to thin out the interior of the canopy will keep the tree healthy by allowing more sunlight to reach foliage throughout the canopy. Prune out branches that are growing in toward the trunk and or those that are growing toward one another, crossing over another, or touching one another. The remaining limbs and major branches should splay out from the trunk in a pattern that is fairly evenly spaced around the trunk. The tips of branches can also be pruned back to form a desired shape. It is always best to prune no more than 1/3 of the canopy volume each year. This will help the plant recover more quickly from any stress it may have encountered from pruning.

Please ask if you have any other questions.

John)