Re: heading back wisteria

Hi Susan -

A consultation client had a Wisteria climbing into the rafters of his
beautiful Craftsman home here in Berkeley.  It has basically been left to
figure it's own way up into supports.  I mentioned that this would eventually
bust out the woodwork as the many entwined trunks started to expand.  I gave a
mini training on how a Wisteria should be pruned and then we went on to other
parts of the garden.

Later, when I re-visited the site, I found that he had (amazingly) cut out all
but one or two direct stems and then headed those back to stubs around the
area he would like to have the cascade of flowers in Spring.  These were
already starting to sprout new leafy growth!!

Not having seen this plant, I suspect that choosing those branches they'd wish
to keep could be manageable, or at least choose which branches really need to
go!!  Heading back all rampant regrowth (leaving about a foot or two,
depending upon how large the plant is and how big you'd like it to become). 
Many of the branches may be self-sustaining enough without support during the
construction of the new arbor.  It might be nice to leave at least one main
branch heading in each of the directions the plant will later grow - this
would distribute the new growth later to be more that just one huge tuft of
growth.  I won't say more without seeing the specimen, but you can bet that
these old Wisterias are VERY tough!

Seán O.

> Can anyone help me advise a friend about severely cutting back an old
> wisteria vine? It is at least 30 years old, with a large braid of a trunk.
> The arbor that it sprawls on needs to be replaced, so I am wondering if it
> is possible to head back the trunk at the height of the new arbor. Will the
> wisteria re-sprout out of the trunk? I know they are tough but will it
> accept this abuse?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Susan Bouchez
> Los Altos, CA
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