How to Trim Unsightly Evergreen Into Topiaries

Trimming a Spiral Shape

• 1

  Use cone-shaped evergreen trees to make topiaries with spiral shapes. Prune diseased branches and those that protrude from the cone shape to promote new, vigorous growth. Wait until the next growing season to trim the topiary shape.

• 2

  Tie a ribbon to a bottom branch of the evergreen. Wind it around the tree three or four times, allowing more space between the ribbon spirals at the bottom and less space at the top. Tie the ribbon to a branch or twig at the top of the tree.

• 3

  Use secateurs -- a pair of small pruning shears held in one hand -- to clip the twigs along the ribbon to form a shallow indentation. Remove the ribbon when you've clipped enough twigs to see the indentation.

• 4

  Deepen the indentation by clipping more twigs and branches. Round the areas where the indentation meets the non-indented sections, so that the spiral appears more curved. Visualize a soft-serve ice cream cone as you work; the spiral shape of the tree should resemble this.

Trimming a Lollipop Standard

• 5

  Use a tree that has a very straight trunk to form a standard with a lollipop head. Preserve the branches and leaves that shoot up from the top of the tree. These will form the lollipop head. Use pruning shears to cut off most of the branches on the bottom and middle of the evergreen.

• 6

  Push a tall stake into the ground next to the evergreen and tie the tree to it. This will encourage the tree to maintain its straight, upward growth.

• 7

  Wait until the tree has grown to the height you desire. Pinch out the shoot apex on the top of the tree. The shoot apex, or the terminal bud, is the top of the stem that promotes further growth. Pinching it out will encourage the tree to grow a bushier head.

• 8

  Clip the top of the tree into a round ball. Turn the shears to follow along the curve as you trim.

• 9

  Remove the rest of the leaves, twigs and branches that grow below the lollipop head. Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch out any new leaf growth on the trunk below the head.