Pruning Trees and Shrubs to Enhance Garden Views

For a homeowner who doesn't necessarily spendpruned several Plum trees along the fence line and
much time in their garden but wants to enjoy itthrough out. At this point, they are in far better
from above, taking into account the garden viewsaesthetic shape: having opened up the garden as
from upstairs windows and/or decks will help inwell as enhanced views.
dictating the planting plan.Tip pruning the canopy and select branches of
In San Francisco, where garden space is typicallyAngel's Trumpet: Datura, is also necessary
30' X 30', people look to maximize the designthroughout spring and summer for maintaining the
effects: creating outdoor rooms with patios,deck views of the rear planting areas. Although
paths, fountains and arbors. The same is true withthis tree is frost tender in many climates, we are
a garden that is mainly viewed from an upstairsfortunate that it thrives in the Bay Area, and that
deck or window. One example is a garden thatthere are several nice varieties to choose from.
we have been maintaining and restoring for overBadly formed plants such as the leggy growing,
a year. The objective is that homeowner be ablepurple flowering Princess Tree: Tibouchina, are also
to see as much of the garden as possible fromcandidates for a severe heading back. While this
the 2nd and 3rd story decks. See:pruning technique leaves the tree looking hacked
An existing 35' Podocarpus tree adjacent to theand butchered for several months afterwards, on
deck requires annual pruning and is due to bea healthy specimen, dormant buds will grow from
thinned and reduced on our next visit in October.the woody stumps creating a new floriferous
While we typically schedule an arborists to prunehead.
trees larger than 25', deck access from theAs with all gardens, the seasons bring about
homeowner and neighbor's property make itchanges, creating new expressions. With fall upon
possible for us to safely work on the tree.us, our job for view enhancement is nearly
Once the Podocarpus has been pruned the gardencomplete, once the Podocarpus tree is pruned.
will require only minimal adjustments for the nextAfter that, we will have many months to
8 to 10 months. In the past year, we haveconcentrate on the under story and plantings.