It's perhaps 6" away toward the backside, it would depend on how gnarly the roots are of your shrub/tree. I cut the clematis back to about 1' in early spring, then I kind of train the young shoots in the directions I want them and cut back wayward vines. I actually fooled my sister with this, she was puzzling over the lilac leaves and the clematis blooms before realizing it was a mix. Tree accessorizing.
