If you want your garden to stay looking sharp, regular pruning is just part of the job. This is especially true for the Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (also known as the Corkscrew Hazel). To keep those gorgeous, twisted branches growing in the right direction, there are a few key things you need to keep in mind.
Wait for Late Spring
When it comes to pruning your Corkscrew Hazel, timing is everything. You definitely want to wait until the tree has finished blooming in the spring. Usually, this happens between March and April. Once those fuzzy catkins have faded away, it’s time to grab your shears. Whether you’re just doing a little “haircut” for shape or a deeper maintenance prune, this is your window.
How to Get the Job Done
Try to pick a cloudy day when there’s no frost in the forecast. Most importantly, make sure your tools are sharp and clean! Here’s your step-by-step game plan:
- Trim back any runaway shoots that are ruining the silhouette. You can safely take off up to two-thirds of the length to get that beautiful shape back.
- Completely remove any branches that are growing straight up or inward toward the center of the shrub.
- Cut away any dead, brittle wood or stunted growth right at the base.
Keep It From Getting Too “Woody”
Pruning isn’t just about looks—it’s about keeping the plant young. As branches get older, they turn into heavy wood and actually lose that signature “corkscrew” twist. By pruning in the spring, you’re giving fresh, young shoots the space they need to thrive. Plus, regular trimming encourages a much fuller, denser canopy. If you skip the pruning, the middle of the tree tends to get thin and scraggly over the years.
Post-Transplant Care
You’ll also need to reach for the shears if you decide to move your tree to a new spot. Let’s be honest: transplanting is stressful for any plant! Since the tree inevitably loses some of its root system during the move, you need to balance things out. A good rule of thumb is to prune the top of the tree back so it’s roughly the same size as the root ball you managed to dig up.
