Watching a tree grow is truly magical. Day by day, it slowly grows without catching our attention. Then one day we look back and see that the little tree is now a big, tall tree with a lush canopy. But what if your tree is getting too tall for where it is? Could those long branches hit a power line? Or, if you have a cherry tree, the fresh fruit is too high up in the canopy to reach. Any way you look at it, getting a tree to grow wider and spread out instead of tall takes time and planning.
Many homeowners want their trees to develop broad spreading canopies rather than tall narrow growth habits. A wide tree provides more shade, feels more substantial in the landscape, and has a gorgeous silhouette. While you can’t completely change a tree’s natural growth tendencies, you can influence and direct growth when trees are young. With proper pruning and care when trees are juvenile, it is possible to promote more outward growth than upward.
Why Trees Grow Tall
Trees are genetically programmed to grow tall. In the forest, competition for sunlight forces trees to push their crowns upward to reach above neighboring trees. Urban trees don’t have competition, yet still sense the need to grow tall. Their natural growth habit directs the lead branch skyward and minimizes lateral branching.
For timber trees, a tall, straight trunk is best. For ornamental and shade trees, however, wider, bushier shapes are more common. Wider plants get more shade and often look fuller or more impressive in the garden. The hard part is changing the upward growth patterns into outward growth patterns. If you are dedicated and carefully prune trees when they are young, you can make them grow wider.
How to Make a Tree Grow Wider
The key to widening a tree’s form is pruning. Two important pruning techniques can help direct growth outward:
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Crown reduction pruning means cutting off any extra branches from the tree’s crown, like getting a haircut. This method is usually used on older trees, but it can also help young trees. When you stop a tree from growing upward, it has to grow new branches from latent buds lower on the trunk and existing lateral branches. This makes the leaves denser and encourages wider growth.
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Developmental pruning – Performed on young trees to help them develop proper branch structure and tree strength. This involves removing competing leaders so the tree crown has a single central leader. Side branches are shortened to direct growth outward. Developmental pruning removes upright branches and opens up the interior crown, letting light filter through. This stimulates sprouting along the undersides and interiors of branches to create a full, rounded crown.
Developmental pruning is the most effective technique for guiding a young tree’s growth pattern. The key is being committed to frequent pruning. Widening a tree’s natural form requires diligent pruning over several years as the tree matures.
When to Start Pruning Young Trees
It’s best to begin pruning at planting or shortly after. Pruning at planting removes any branches damaged during transport. It also helps compensate for root loss during transplanting. Pruning immediately directs growth and form before the tree develops a tall, vertical habit.
Most experts recommend waiting 1-2 years after planting before doing major structural pruning. This gives the tree time to overcome transplant shock and become established. Light pruning in the first year is acceptable. Developmental pruning is ideal once the tree appears vigorous and healthy.
How Often to Prune Young Trees
Frequent pruning is needed to properly direct growth on young trees. Pruning every year or two is ideal. Annual light pruning is better than infrequent heavy pruning.
For fast growing trees like silver maple and willows, pruning every year helps direct expanding growth. Slower growing oaks and hickories may need pruning every 2-3 years when branches get excessive. The key is not letting branches grow too large between prunings. Keeping trees pruned to a compact form requires commitment.
Pruning Cuts to Encourage Wider Growth
Specific types of pruning cuts help encourage wider growth by removing vertical shoots and forcing sprouting of lateral buds:
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Head back cut – Removing the end of a branch back to a lateral branch collar or bud. This pruning cut removes the strong vertical leader shoot and forces sprouting of latent buds behind the cut.
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Reduction cut – Shortening a branch back to a smaller lateral branch. This cut removes upright growth and an overextended branch.
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Thinning cut – Removing a branch back to its point of origin on the trunk. Thinning opens up the interior canopy and stimulates latent buds.
Making proper pruning cuts ensures branch stubs don’t remain. Spreading growth usually requires heading back the central leader and reducing major upright branches annually. Thinning clears out congestion and allows light penetration.
Timing Pruning to Influence Growth
When pruning is done impacts growth response and can enhance widening:
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Winter pruning invigorates growth – Pruning during dormancy removes inhibitors and stimulates vigorous regrowth in spring.
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Summer pruning suppresses growth – Pruning in summer has a dwarfing effect and suppresses regrowth of branches.
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Late summer pruning impacts extension growth – August pruning reduces shoot elongation more than leaf and flower bud formation.
A combination of winter and late summer pruning works very well to minimize upward growth and invigorate lateral branching. Or just stick to intense pruning in winter annually to widen form.
Factors Affecting Ability to Widen Trees
While consistent pruning when young is key to developing a wider tree, other factors influence success:
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Tree species – Some trees have a stronger apical dominance or central leader. Oak, poplar, pine, and maple can be challenging to widen.
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Age – Older trees become set in their form and won’t respond as well. Start pruning at planting.
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Site conditions – Ideal conditions promote vigorous growth that responds better to pruning.
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Damage – Major damage to the leader can ruin efforts, causing kinked trunks and poor branch unions.
With care a tree’s natural form can be altered. Just be realistic about expectations. Genetics limit how wide a tree can grow. But with commitment to prompt pruning, you can make almost any young tree grow bushier.
When to Stop Pruning to Widen Trees
At some point, trees become mature and efforts to direct growth sideways become counterproductive. Pruning mature trees often triggers vertical waterspouts and poor branch attachments.
Most experts recommend stopping structural alteration pruning once a tree reaches:
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10-20 years – Fruit trees are mature and established around 10 years. Ornamental trees may take 15-20 years to become set in form.
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2/3 of mature height – The typical pruning window is when trees are young and actively growing until they reach about two-thirds of their expected height.
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Trunk diameter exceeds 4-6 inches – Once trunk diameter is over about 4-6 inches, wound closure is slower. Large pruning wounds can lead to decay.
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Crown spread meets expectations – Once the crown spread meets your goals for canopy width, switch to maintenance pruning rather than altering form.
The key is not waiting too long. Pruning mature trees to alter form often does more harm than good. Be sure to commit to frequent pruning when trees are young saplings.
Summary of Steps to Pruning Young Trees for Wider Canopies
Homeowners wanting wide, spreading shade trees should start pruning early and keep pruning often. The key steps include:
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Prune at planting then wait 1-2 years for major structural pruning.
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Prune every 1-2 years to direct growth outward.
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Make proper reduction, heading, and thinning cuts to force lateral growth.
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Time pruning to minimize upward growth and stimulate sprouting.
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Stop trying to alter form once trees mature after 10-20 years.
With diligent pruning and reasonable expectations, it is possible to train young trees to grow with bushy, spreading crowns rather than tall narrow forms. Just be patient and let the tree gradually develop over several years of careful pruning.
2 Ways to Slow Tree Growth and Keep Your Tree From Growing Too Tall
If the crown of your tree is stretching too tall or wide, corrective pruning can help rein it in and size it down for the space available. It’s important to prune a tree before it gets too big of a problem, since cutting off too many branches could put too much stress on the tree. For big trees that don’t flower, it’s best to prune them in early spring, when they’re still dormant and you can see which limbs need work. This lets the tree grow new leaves. If your tree is growing too large for its space, consider these two pruning methods.
- Crown reduction pruning cuts off branches that aren’t needed from the tree’s crown, like getting a haircut. This process takes stress off the tree, brings the sun back to your yard, and cuts back branches that are getting too close. When cutting down the tree crown, it’s important not to cut off the tree’s top to make it fit. Tree topping will make your tree look bad and make it more likely to get sick.
- Young trees are pruned during development to help them get the right branch structure and tree strength. By cutting off weak branches and fixing bad shape while the branches are still small, you can keep pruning wounds from getting too big. By pruning the tree early on, this proactive method encourages strong and balanced growth that makes it better able to withstand storms.
Contact our expert arborists for assistance with pruning large trees, as it can be a dangerous job.
While pruning can trim a tree down to size, plant growth regulators can help prevent a tree from outgrowing its space before it becomes an issue. Plant growth regulators contain hormones injected around the base of the tree. These hormones control growth and cause the tree to produce fewer or shorter offshoots, reducing the size of the tree over time. Growth regulators help keep a tree appropriately sized for its space, but you can also use them to improve tree health. For example, a tree growing too rapidly may be overusing its resources. Applying growth regulators can help a tree better handle its conditions while reducing the need for pruning. Consult a plant health care expert to see if growth regulators are right for your tree.
If trees are getting too big for their space, the only way to fix it is to slow their growth with tools like pruners and growth regulators. In some cases, tree removal may be the only option to keep your property safe from impending damage. However, if you are planting a new tree, you can avoid future overgrowth problems altogether by planting strategically. Consider the location and type of tree you are planting before you start digging a hole. You should plant trees that grow to large sizes an appropriate distance away from structures, pavements, utilities, and neighbors. However, you can plant miniature tree varieties closer to your home. If you plant a tree too big for the space, you will have to invest time and money to reduce its growth later on. Talk to a tree expert before you start landscaping. They can tell you what kinds of trees will look best in your yard.
How Do I Know When My Tree is Getting Too Big?
Large mature trees are highly sought after and can even impact the value of your property. However, lush trees come with hidden problems. For example, larger trees typically mean that they are more mature that are healthier and can withstand storms better if kept healthy.. Typically, trees planted in large open areas don’t pose a threat. However, trees in small confined areas can quickly outgrow their space. According to most local forestry commissions, you should not plant trees within 15 feet of a structure, 10 feet of an overhead utility, or 10 feet of an underground utility, road, drive, or walkway. Here are some signs that your tree may be getting too big for its space.
- Branches are hanging over roof structures, driveways, or sidewalks.
- Branches are touching power lines or other trees.
- Roots are pushing up against fences, pavements, or foundations.
- Shade is preventing nearby plant growth.
- Leaves look dehydrated or dull.
- The neighboring homes could be damaged if the tree falls.
How does a tree grow? Hint: it’s not what you think!
FAQ
How do I stop my tree from growing taller?
Comments SectionYou have to properly prune it’s apical meristems. Do this by cutting new growth on the ends you want to encourage to grow out. Another, more chemical treatment, is to use TGR (tree growth regulator). This chemical will shorten the annual growth of your tree l, this resulting in a smaller tree overtime.
What makes a tree grow wider?
Each year, a tree grows new living tissue on top and outside of the previous year’s growth. As new tissue grows over older layers, the tree grows in a cone shape. It becomes both wider and taller, with the root system forming its wide base.
How to increase the girth of a tree?
Usually, wood gets bigger by adding new tissues between the old wood and the inner bark. This is known as secondary growth. The majority of tree biomass is obtained from these radial growth characterized by growth rings.
How do I stunt the growth of a tree?
Effective Methods to Stunt Tree Growth Pruning and root control are two highly effective methods to control tree growth. These techniques allow you to manage tree expansion without causing undue harm to the plant.
How do you make a tree grow wider?
Wider growth provides more shade and often looks fuller or more impressive in the landscape. The challenge is redirecting upward growth tendencies into outward growth patterns. With commitment and diligent pruning when trees are young, it is possible to make a tree grow wider. The key to widening tree growth is pruning.
Why do trees grow taller and not wider?
These buds release hormones called auxins that suppress the growth of lateral buds or branches. This is known as apical dominance. This is why a tree grows taller and not wider. However, if you want your tree to grow wider and have more branches, you need to remove the apical bud.
How to limit tree height and keep big trees small?
Learn how you can limit tree height and how to keep big trees small. You can’t actually stop a tree from growing taller or stunt the growth of a tree, but you can limit tree height by pruning it to keep it small. You can even keep a cherry tree or oak tree small by pruning it the right way.
Can you stop a tree from growing taller?
Once more, you can’t stop a tree from getting taller, but you can cut it down (if you do it right). Usually, you shouldn’t cut off more than a quarter of a tree’s living canopy at a time. If you do, your tree might not have enough energy to make the food it needs.
Should a tree grow wide or narrow?
Many homeowners want their trees to grow with a wide, spreading canopy rather than tall and narrow. A wide tree provides more shade, feels more substantial in the landscape, and has a beautiful silhouette. While you can’t change a tree’s natural growth habit, you can influence and direct growth when trees are young.
Can you change a tree’s natural growth habit?
While you can’t change a tree’s natural growth habit, you can influence and direct growth when trees are young. With proper pruning and care, it is possible to encourage a tree to grow more outward than upward. Trees are genetically programmed to grow tall.