Mock Orange Pruning

I have a 25 ft tall old Mock Orange (sorry, don't know correct name!) It flowered about six weeks ago. I want to take at least 6 ft off the top and trim the sides. The "trunk" is made up of many small trunks, almost bush like rather than tree like.

When could I carry out this pruning safetly.

Thanks.

 

Hi there mikemaber..I trim mine every year after flowering and she does fine. I even grew another bush from a clipping I just stuck in the soil for Sweet Peas to grow up! :D

 

Thanks Paladin. All I have to do now is to work out how I get to the top to prune!!!

 

Trampoline!

 

I had thought of pole vaulting. With my loppers I just could get one branch at a time.

 

It has been done, rather savagely, and the bush is now only 6-7 foot tall, a mass of wood only with no leaves. Crossing my fingers that I have not killed it!

 

Hi mikemaber, mock orange ( Philadelphus ) will take some abuse, however, taking it down from 25ft to 6ft in one go may produce it`s own problems. Namely, it is likely to grow a lot of top growth next year at the expence of flowers. When I say a lot of growth I am talking 8 to 10 feet or maybe even more. David.

 

Thanks. I had thought previously that I might have to sacrifice one year of flowers.