Q.Butchered bottlebrush trees
Our overzealous volunteers decided to “prune’ the native trees at our croquet club. We were told this encourages growth and from last year have a row of meatballs (no flowers) to prove itl
Last Saturday before anyone came they chainsawed all the established bottlebrush trees, wattle trees, and one tall paperbark (flowering) back to trunks. All branches, all foliage and the crown removed. The filtered shade totally gone from the garden beneath which is planted out in small shrubs and annuals.
What is likely to happen now? Can the damaged trees be helped in any way?
Oh yes, the ‘meatballs” from last year’s attack were also trimmed by chainsaw. We back onto a reserve and until now have had lots of native birds.
Can I please have a strongly worded opinion to quote at the nest Annual Meeting please. This needs a huge change in club rules.
My advise is wait and see.
Do not try to fertilize the trees into health. If they began to actively growing you can then, lightly fertilize.
You could consult with an Arborist to determine the health of the severely pruned trees.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/growing-bottlebrush-plants.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_pycnantha
