Tree Question From San Diego

You can do what you like with a chainsaw but it will have no positive result in controlling tree height.

Tipu trees, I assume you mean Tipuana tipu originating from Bolivia, are a very popular landscape trees in parts of Argentina and Uruguay where they easily reach 70 feet tall and can be quite wide spreading for such an upright tree. I really love these trees as they remind me of Buenos Aires and the lovely shade over all the patios and restaurants.

These are not trees for small spaces, if you want a tree that is going to be 20 feet tall I suggest you start looking for something else.
 
Root prune and Bonsai techniques.
I kept a Norway Maple dwarfed at 10' for dozen yrs and it just looked like a mini maple.
I have posted pics and discussion here somewhere.
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I have never encountered this tree.

But, if a person wants to, can't you do small shaping back cuts to any tree and keep it at 20 feet? Just make small enough cuts often enough. In an open yard root pruning may well not even be necessary.

There are 150 year old bonsai trees that could sit on a table, and 600 year old trees that are about 6 feet tall if I recall correctly.

Biggest negative with that? Frequent and unending vigilance and pruning.
 
If a person wanted a 20 foot (bonsai) Tipu tree they had better expect a hell of a lot of work. I would expect that maintaining this tree at 20 feet will require pruning yearly if not twice a year.
 
merle_nelson said:
.....There are 150 year old bonsai trees that could sit on a table, and 600 year old trees that are about 6 feet tall if I recall correctly.....
Click to expand...

Bonsai, means tree in pot. You need the pot. In order for balanced dwarfing that creates a true miniature tree, you need to control the entire organism, not just the top. Root shoot ratio that keeps auxin and cytokinin in balance. I have seen some success in keeping small species smaller than they would like to be, but attempts at keeping large aggressive trees small while they have a full root capacity, will look like the abomination that it is.
 
DSMc, so what if, a person believed that sort of thing was ok and sniped on it two or three times a year. Lets say for example that no foliage grows outside of a 20 ft diameter ball. The root system would still push out bigger even though there is only ever x amount of foliage to maintain?
 
Yes. Not to its full potential but enough to make it an ever increasing challenge. I have seen some amazing work in Japanese gardens but the best always have some sort of root restriction.
 
https://books.google.com.au/books?i...oDgBOmOmQXItaBB&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result
Depending on the species and landscape there is potential for topiary, pollards, espalier etc.
With trees I see aesthetically the best results with reduction cuts almost or back to source.
Root pruning is fairly easy. I use pwr saw with an old bar and chain.
When I teach pruning "Every tree has a story to tell, read every tree Knowing there is an inner beauty for you to accentuate "
Starting points are
  1. knowing the species in its natural mature state
  2. Know it's cultural requirements
  3. Know the fundementals of Yng tree training
  4. Know if you make a mistake(in pruning) don't worry it will grow back or growth can be forced/manipulated to correct error
  5. Be bold
 
I assume that everybody is joking by even suggesting that this tree can be kept as a bonsai-style tree. I person who wants to cut a tree off at 20 feet is not interested in root pruning, chemical treatments and annual crown pruning. The want a tree that reaches 20 feet and with one cut stops their.

Tipus are not going to respond in a positive manner to annual pruning, very quickly they will become a chia pet full of upright suckers. Take a look at the Tipus in Carlos Thays Botanical Gardens to get an idea of tree response to topping (which cutting a tree at 20 foot is). I cannot find the photos I need but this photo shows tipus without leaves, that gives some perspective on size.

 
Well good luck to any body that thinks they can keep a Tipu tree at 20 feet tall, whether you do it with bonsai techniques or reduction cuts.

By the way Tipus look a lot like a wider spreading Black Locust.
 
"Can I cap a TIPU tree once its about 20 feet tall so it doesn't get too big for my yard?"

Yes growth can be 'capped' at 20'.

"What are the negative affects of that?"

1. High maintenance. To keep new growth from exceeding 20' will require regular removal of new growth (pollarding). A growth regulator would lessen this sprouting.
2. The aesthetics will not be a classic tree form. But you might like it even better!

Previous comments/rants about the evils of 'topping' failed to note that the tree is not yet 20' tall. It really is time for anti-topping hysteria to chill, so pruning options can be rationally discussed.
 
Guy, what kind of growth regulators are you talking about?

I was wondering about anti-gibberellin treatment that reduces twig elongation.

Thanks.
 
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