Question
Our 12 foot high ligustrum tree here in Florida had to be cut back on one side. The problem is corrected and the remainder is healthy. The hole that was about 1/3 of the tree is an eyesore. I do not think it will naturally fill in as it has been about a year with no new growth. Is there any design trick, or way to plant beside the tree to camoflage the hole?

Answer
If there is sun on that side of the tree and the tree is healthy it should fill in within a couple years. You may try "training" a few local(adjacent) branches to grow in the direction of the hole to fill it in faster. You can do this by bending small branches and tying them off with string. Start with small bends and every week come out and tighten the string or reposition it to continue the bend or needed direction change.  Use string that will eventually rot in-case you forget about it. Other sting can girdle the branches and kill them.

And of course you can always plant a larger tree on that side to hide the hole. No special trick to that expect to ensure its not a tree that will choke all the light out and overwhelm the ligustrum.
Best of luck.

Sean J Murphy, LA, ISA, LEED AP
www.seanjmurphy.com
www.amenityarchitects.com
www.seengineering.com