Question
QUESTION: we have a 20 feet tall hydrangea trees when fully bloom. my husband started cutting off all the dead branches which that's all was under the green leafs. then he went to fair and cut all the branches off and just left the tree bark which has 5- 6 different barks standing about 12 feet now. two barks has wholes in the middle with large black ants coming in and out of it and two days later it has fluid coming out of it. i also noticed on one bark there is a brand new branch growing from it with green leafs. can you tell me if the tree will bloom again, or there is no hope for this poor tree and what should i do. and what is the life spand of this type of tree

ANSWER: Hi Helen,
Thanx for your question.  It sounds like your husband gave the tree a rather severe pruning.  If you have new growth emerging from the plant, it will most likely bloom again, once it has recovered from this trauma.  It may not bloom next year until it has filled out again.  Lifespan is 20+ years.  I hope this helps.
Tom

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QUESTION: i would like to let you know that the tree is doing just great we have alot of green brances coming out everywhere. after my husband gave the tree a severe pruning. which he just left the barks with wholes in the middle of them which had all white sap coming out of it. and one bark has a whole in the bark which bees live in it which they look like yellow jacks. did the bees save the tree. the braches are growing upward they are about 100 new braches grew. this tree is over 30plus year old

Answer
Hi Helen,
Thanx for the addtional information.  I'm glad to hear the hydrangeas are doing well.  I don't think the bees helped or harmed the hydrangea.  They're pretty tough shrubs and a severe pruning won't prevent them from filling back out eventually although it could take a couple of seasons for that.  
thx,
Tom