New Zealand Laurel Pleached Tree (Prunus 'Novita')

New Zealand Laurel Pleached Tree Description

New Zealand Laurel (Prunus 'Novita') offers a combination of evergreen foliage and a trained, architectural form that works particularly well in formal landscape planting. Its glossy dark green leaves create a dense canopy, helping provide consistent visual coverage throughout the year.

In its pleached form, the branches are trained and woven across a supporting framework to create a raised leafy screen. This makes the tree useful where a project requires privacy or visual separation while maintaining a clean, coordinated appearance.

Clusters of fragrant white to pale pink flowers appear in late spring, providing additional seasonal interest and attracting pollinating insects. The evergreen foliage then continues to provide structure beyond the flowering period.

Planting multiple New Zealand Laurel pleached trees in a consistent line can create a strong visual boundary around gardens, driveways, entrances and other outdoor spaces. The formal framework also complements structured planting schemes where consistency and defined lines are important.

Pruning Advice

Timing: Main pruning is generally carried out in late winter or early spring, before the main flush of new growth. Light maintenance can also be carried out when necessary to preserve the desired shape.

Method: Remove dead, damaged or crossing growth first. Trim unwanted lateral shoots carefully to keep new growth within the established pleached framework.

Maintaining the Framework: Regularly inspect the trained branches and keep the canopy evenly formed. Avoid excessive pruning that could disrupt the established structure or create an uneven appearance.

Annual Maintenance: Check the tree regularly for unwanted growth, pests or signs of disease. Light trimming after flowering can be used where necessary to maintain a tidy, controlled appearance.

Further Information

New Zealand Laurel pleached trees are well suited to formal privacy screening where a landscape design requires both foliage coverage and a clearly defined structure. The raised canopy can create visual separation while maintaining an organised appearance along a boundary or within a larger planting scheme.

The evergreen foliage provides year-round colour and structure, meaning the screen remains visually effective through different seasons. The late-spring flowers add another seasonal feature and can provide a food source for pollinating insects.

The pleached form is particularly useful when several trees are positioned in a regular line. This can help define boundaries, separate outdoor areas or create a consistent screen around driveways, entrances, terraces and gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a New Zealand Laurel pleached tree?
A New Zealand Laurel pleached tree is Prunus 'Novita' trained across a supporting framework to create a raised, structured canopy. It combines evergreen foliage with a formal screen-like appearance.

Is New Zealand Laurel evergreen?
Yes. New Zealand Laurel has glossy evergreen foliage, providing year-round colour and structure.

Are New Zealand Laurel pleached trees suitable for privacy screening?
Yes. The dense evergreen foliage and trained canopy make them suitable for creating structured privacy screens and defining boundaries.

Where can New Zealand Laurel pleached trees be used?
They can be used along boundaries, around driveways and entrances, beside outdoor spaces and within formal landscape schemes where evergreen screening and structure are required.

How quickly does New Zealand Laurel grow?
The supplied guidance describes it as a moderate grower, typically producing around 30–60cm (1–2 feet) of growth per year under ideal conditions.

When should New Zealand Laurel pleached trees be pruned?
Main pruning is generally carried out in late winter or early spring, with light maintenance as required to preserve the pleached framework.

Does New Zealand Laurel produce flowers?
Yes. Fragrant white to pale pink flowers appear in late spring and can attract pollinating insects.

Delivery & Returns

Delivery is available within 50 miles of Higher Walton, Lancashire, PR5 4EN.

Free UK Mainland delivery is available on most orders, excluding Premium Products, when the relevant minimum spend is met. Delivery costs and minimum order values vary according to the packaging or delivery type:

• Standard Sized Boxes — Bare root plants up to 1.2m and pots up to 7.5L: free UK Mainland delivery on orders over £250, or £9.98 charge.
• Tall Sized Boxes — Bare roots 1.2m and over: free UK Mainland delivery on orders over £250, or £24.99 charge.
• Pallets — Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees and similar items: free UK Mainland delivery on orders over £350, or £82 charge.
• Pleached Trees — Specialist delivery: free UK Mainland delivery on orders over £1,500, or £450 charge.