A Table Shaped Tree
If I wanted to grow a tree into the shape of a table, i.e. tall straight trunk and a large horizontal disk shaped canopy, what should I go for? Especially if I wanted to grow a particularly large tree table. I know that I could do something with box or similar, but I'm wondering if there is something more naturally this shape that would need less adjustment from its natural form. It might be useful for providing natural shade in urban areas where vandalism is common and a nice straight cover could be applied to protect the trunk, but also I would like one for my garden as a semi ornamental giant(s) table. Happy to grow from seed, can't afford a large garden yet anyways.
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Not a natural sight in a temperate European setting. Maybe more usual in the east African savannah where acacias are pruned in a crown-lifting way by giraffes.
You'd then need the skill to establish it and keep it thriving.
You'd be better having a pergola with climbers
The most common tree I see with that form are ornamental cherries. They look like they are grafted as the branches almost appear to have been cut off then nailed back on horizontally. I am sure it is more complex than that but it is likely to be a slow and expensive job. I saw a street in the suburbs of Brussels which had an avenue of these which looked stunning.
I'm a bit concerned about the mention of vandalism. Anything out of the ordinary like a table tree would be a magnet for people hell bent on destruction. Trees in such areas are best protected with thorny shrubs like berberis so any table tree, whatever variety, would need a guard of vicious shrubs.