We have a very large paper bark tree , can this be cut back.
Hey Jenny, Yes, Melaleucas can be cut back. The popular ones include Melaleuca quinquenervia (Paperbark) and Melaleuca linarifolia (Snow in Summer) and they both respond well to pruning.
They will handle any type of pruning providing that you do it correctly e.g. use clean, sharp tools and avoid tearing or leaving open wounds for pests and diseases to easily gain entry.
Paperbarks respond well to tip pruning, but best left until after flowering.
They also tolerate harder pruning and in most cases will recover even when cut back to bare wood e.g. most of the foliage removed. However its always best (with any type of plant) to leave some foliage as this provides the plant with a source of energy to recover and get new growth going.
If you have some dead or dying branches then cut them cleanly off before they pose a threat by offering easy access to pests and diseases.