overgrown red tip photinias

Question

I have red tip photinias that have grown too tall, 15-25 feet trees. Can I cut them back to the ground? They are 20 years old, planted as landscape shrubs by original owners, just too big now. Should I just pull them or are they salvageable?

Answer 1

Photinias can tolerate a hard pruning. You can cut back the entire shrub at one time to the height you desire. Just keep the shrub wider at the base than the top so that sunlight reaches the lower branches. Photinias can be cut down to about 6 inches above the ground. The following article will explain further:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/photinia/rejuvenating-red-tip-photinia.htm

For more photinia pruning tips please review the following article:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/photinia/pruning-photinia-shrubs.htm