Rejuvenating a Sky Pencil Holly

Use sharp hand pruners to remove branches from the Sky Pencil holly that are growing across other branches. Remove dead, diseased or unhealthy-looking branches.

Prune off some of the older branches over the entire shrub to open up the center for better sunlight penetration and air circulation. Up to one-third of the older branches can be removed from the shrub. Be selective about which branches are removed, however. Move the branch aside gently by hand before removing it to make sure it will not leave a huge gaping hole.

Cut the branches off 1/2 inch from the main stem at the center of the bush. Make the cut at an angle parallel with the main stem. Trim back the tips of the branches that are protruding and detracting from the overall shape of the bush for a more neat, uniform outline.

Rake the pruned branches away from the base of the Sky Pencil holly. Rake the old mulch away to expose the soil in a 5-foot diameter circle around the shrub. Add the branches and old mulch to the compost pile or put it in the garbage.

Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of organic matter, such as well-aged manure or compost, over the entire 5-foot diameter circle of exposed soil. A mixture of peat, compost and manure may also be used to improve the soil. Use a hand trowel to gently mix the organic matter into the top 1 to 2 inches of soil around the shrub. Be careful not to mix it in too deeply. The Sky Pencil holly’s root structure is very shallow.

Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of fresh mulch around the holly bush. Keep the mulch 1 to 2 inches away from the trunk of the bush.