Tulip tree - can it be kept quite small?

Andy156

Q - if a young tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) were to be topped off at say 4 metres, and generally kept to size over time, how would it do? Flowering takes years with tulip trees anyway but how would the 'dwarfing' of the tree affect this?? All thoughts welcome!!

Hostafan1

There's one about that size along the road from us and, IMO , it just looks butchered.
They're naturally big trees and want to get big. If you don't have room for a big tree, go for something smaller.

Andy156

Thanks Hostafan1. I guess it doesn't always work like that though. Lots of trees are cultured in growth from saplings and look good no?

Obelixx

Yes, but not all specimens lend themselves to shaping/pollarding/coppicing/hedging.

The natural shape and structure of a liriodendron will be ruined by pruning and, as they are vigorous, you'll have to keep pruning and you'll lose its flower power.

If you want a tree about 4m high with lovely fan shaped leaves that turn golden in autumn, try a ginkgo biloba compacta instead - 
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/321387/i-Ginkgo-biloba-i-Compacta/Details 
  

Andy156

Thanks Obelixx.