Forsythia Pruning Overgrown. They can grow 8 feet stems in a single season. Although shearing is faster than hand pruning selective hand pruning with the other tools mentioned is much better for the plant and more attractive.
Some years later it has overgrown into a 10 foot tree plant that leaves you struggling to find your way. Enjoy the blossoms and then get out the saw. Overgrown forsythia bushes can get so large that normal pruning like this article mentions won t do the job of managing them.
When and how far can i prune it back.
Once i realized how overgrown my forsythia shrubs had gotten i gave them all a very heavy renovation pruning. That fact alone makes pruning forsythia a challenge since it goes brings up all sorts of questions about how and when to trim forsythia bushes. 1 disinfect pruning shears and a pruning saw in a bucket filled with 1 part bleach mixed with 3 parts water. If you want your plant to grow as many flowers as possible prune it in the springtime after it blooms.