Hard Pruning Honeysuckle to gain access to Replace Fencing

Hello all

I Hope you are Well.

Here I was thinking that I could now Sit Back, Relax and enjoy the Garden, Nope

It looks as though Three of the Fence Panels at the Bottom of the Garden need to be Replaced as I have just noticed that they have been Damaged, most likely by the Strong Winds we had in Late January.

The Problem I now have is that One of the Fence Panels has a Honeysuckle 'American Beauty' growing on a Wire Framework between Two Concrete Posts.

What would be the Best Way to gain access to the Fence Panel?

I did think that I could maybe just ease the Honeysuckle off the Wire Framework and lay it on the Ground, unfortunately it would more than likely be Damaged doing that.

Can a Honeysuckle be Hard Pruned to maybe 12" from the Ground and if so, when would be the Best Time to do it?

Also, this particular Fence Panel is directly behind the Malus 'Rudolph' which will be Fun

I am thinking of Replacing these Three Fence Panels which have Vertical Slats with Hit & Miss Panels which would be able to cope with the Wind better.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Hello Kevin, is the wire framework a single entity or separate wires stretched between fixings, e.g. screws or vine eyes? Honeysuckle is very flexible, even the woody stems. If you can detach the wires from the posts, coil them and lay them on the ground (preferably out of the way of fencing contractors ' size 11s ) , it shouldn't be a problem to replace the wires and plant on the original fixings. If it's a sheet of wire mesh, roll it up like a carpet complete with honeysuckle and secure with wire or strong string. Seems a shame to chop a happy, healthy plant just as it's getting into it's stride.

 

Hello @noisette47

The Wires are attached to Brackets that fix to the Concrete Posts, the only way to Remove the Wires is to Cut them as they are attached utilising special Fixtures.

I think I have enough spare Wire available that if need be then I could just Cut the Wires and reinstate them after.

Also, Hopefully the Malus will not hinder the Replacement of the Fencing.

Thanks

Kevin

 

If you can't remove the wires then you can cut down the honeysuckle. They can cope with heavy pruning.

 

I looked up pruning American Beauty, best after flowering.

 

Hello @Busy-Lizzie

Thanks for the Reply.

I did look up Pruning for it, however, it only mentioned Light Pruning so I did not know if Hard Pruning was an Option.

Kevin

 

We cut ours down to replace the fence.

 

Hello @Busy-Lizzie

When did you cut yours down and how low did you cut it?

Thanks

Kevin

 

Does it help to visit your neighbour and do it from the other side ? Maybe offer to repair 'his ' fence !

 

Hello @infradig

The Neighbour in Question is around the Corner as their Garden runs along the Back of Me and my Two Neighbours.

I did go round Yesterday, Twice, to speak to them, their Car was there but no one answered the Door so.....

I may try again Today.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Honeysuckles are weedy plants, so should come back very strongly from a hard prune. The only reason why you wait until after flowering is that you would miss a years flowering if you prune it before.

 

It was a few years ago and it was between November and June, looking at photos, but I can't remember the exact month and I don't have photos of when it was done. Cut it to about 40cm.

 

I hard pruned a honeysuckle roundabout November last year and it's coming back really well - I think yours will be fine. Give it a good feed and mulch afterwards to help it along.

 

Hello

Thanks for the Replies.

I have the Fencing Company, that I have used previously, visiting Tomorrow Morning so I will see what He will require regarding access to the Fence Panels.

If the Honeysuckle needs to be Hard Pruned and the Wires removed then so be it.

Thanks

Kevin