questions about tree and bee/butterfly lawn - Ask Extension
1. We planted an autumn brillance service berry clump tree last year. We really want it to grow into a tree vs a shrub. I am wondering how I should...
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questions about tree and bee/butterfly lawn #872706
Asked June 11, 2024, 8:32 PM EDT
1. We planted an autumn brillance service berry clump tree last year. We really want it to grow into a tree vs a shrub. I am wondering how I should prune it and when I should prune it to get a "tree" out of it. There are lots of branches at the bottom of the clump tree. see img 15592.jpeg, attached.
2. We planted a bee/butterfly lawn last year, reseeded in the fall and then again this spring. The plants have gotten quite tall. Which we were not expecting. The lawn is mostly black-eyed susans (as far as I can tell). I am wondering if we cut some of them down will they still bloom? Or is there a better way to manage the lawn? Some of the plants are 4 feet high. I love the meadow "feel" but we can see some of the other plants at the perimeter. See photos img 1562 and Img 1558 for a photo of the plants and for the seed I used. Thanks so much. Linda
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
It is possible to shape a shrub into a tree. It will take some work. You will need to choose a 'main branch' and prune out the others. the others will likely continue to sprout and you will need to prune on a regular basis. Below is a link on serviceberries and one on pruning from a shrub to a tree.
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/serviceberry
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/pruning-a-shrub-into-a-tree.htm#:~:text=Once%20you%20have%20decided%20on,time%20to%20train%20the%20canopy.
The seed mix you show is a bee/butterfly mix but does not look to be a lawn mix - I cannot see the full label so perhaps it is. Typically a lawn replacement will contain shorter specimens, unless you are replacing to mimic a prairie of sorts. You can cut down, however, with black-eyed susan it will continue to grow back at its current height. Below is a link to information about establishing bee friendly lawns.
https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/serviceberry
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/pruning-a-shrub-into-a-tree.htm#:~:text=Once%20you%20have%20decided%20on,time%20to%20train%20the%20canopy.
The seed mix you show is a bee/butterfly mix but does not look to be a lawn mix - I cannot see the full label so perhaps it is. Typically a lawn replacement will contain shorter specimens, unless you are replacing to mimic a prairie of sorts. You can cut down, however, with black-eyed susan it will continue to grow back at its current height. Below is a link to information about establishing bee friendly lawns.
https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn
Hi Thanks for the info! I am wondering if I cut down my black-eyed Susans down, if they will still bloom. Thanks!
On Jun 15, 2024, at 9:47 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
If you cut back the black-eyed susan plants they will grow tall again and likely bloom.
Thank you so much! Wish I had talked to you sooner!
On Jun 16, 2024, at 8:14 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
