30 Year Healthy 15’ Eugenia Bushes/trees Concern

Question

My former neighbor and I shared an effective privacy fence using our trees/bushes. He died. The new people cut down everything on their side – leaving my mature Eugenias barren on the side that met the former foliage. My plants are lush on my sides and top growth. Reverse side no barren and same for lower areas. How can I encourage faster leaf growth in the barren areas? These plants are well established – I do not want to remove them unless forced to. Thanks

Answer 1

It can be tricky to get foliage to grow on plant sides that have been without sun for years. Try pruning the stems if you can reach them. If the stems/branches are dead, remove them. (Scrape some bark off; if the inside is green, it is still alive.) If the stems are green inside, just prune the tips to encourage regrowth. It can be pruned several times a year. Never remove more than 30 percent of the shrub at one time.

These articles should help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/eugenia/eugenia-hedge-care.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/eugenia/eugenia-hedge-pruning.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/pruning-basics.htm