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Monkey puzzle

Argyll2471Argyll2471 Posts: 2
in Plants

image

I am looking for advice regarding our monkey puzzle tree. It's currently 7ft in height and I understand they can grow to 80ft. 

My question is if I prune the tree to keep it at a manageable height will I kill the tree? 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    You won't kill it, but it'll look flippin' ugly - there's one near here that someone has done that to, poor thing.  It's a tree for big spaces ................ image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    I agree with Dove (as usual image)  They are slow growers though and don't cause much shade so I suggest leaving it until it gets too big for your liking and then simply felling it and planting something else.  They do make a great 'statement' tree in the middle of a large lawn.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Argyll2471Argyll2471 Posts: 2

    Thanks for your responses and advice, greatly appreciated! 

  • marklovick87marklovick87 Posts: 17
    Mine's to the height of the upstairs gutter now and is my pride and joy. OH saying it is too big though :-( She would like to keep it at about 6 fot shorter. Is this just not practical without it looking awful?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146
    Imagine a Christmas tree with the top 25% chopped off ....  :'(

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No - they look hideous if butchered.  :/
    The wonderful thing about them is that they're evergreen, but they're gappy, so never become oppressive like other evergreen trees and shrubs. 
    I love them and they grow so well here as the climate suits them.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LornaPLornaP Posts: 80
    It could be worse - I regularly walk past one that is about 4 feet from someone's house.
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