Monkey puzzle

It is very sensible to take mature size into consideration when buying any plant, shrub or tree, especially trees. In my situation though, if I'd have considered the mature size, then practicality would say that I simply wouldn't get one in the first place, and that would go for thousands of other small to medium sized garden owners throughout the UK.

Keeping the likes of the monkey puzzle tree, and many many others, to huge private or public gardens only, would mean gardeners such as myself could never enjoy the experience of growing such monsters.

So in that respect I'm glad I have one to enjoy, I have absolutely no regrets. But 1800 years down the road I think someone may be cursing the idiot who planted it, lol.

 

I plant quite a few trees and shrubs that are maybe too big for the space I have.
I keep them under control with hard pruning every three or four years.

I've not seen a pruned monkey puzzle, and i don't think I want to.

 

Yes, I have a few shrubs that I basically prune back to the ground every winter. I hate "leggy" shrubs. Not all shrubs will take such a hard approach though.

And I agree, monkey puzzles are one of those trees that just wouldn't look right pruned. I've seen young specimens such as mine that look a little lop sided and don't have that "symmetry". Though as the tree gets bigger this seems to correct itself.

One particular monkey puzzle I see on the way to work every morning has been planted to close to a wall and it basically isn't growing on the wall side, it looks awful.

 

Pruning any tree or shrub is not enough. The root spread has to be taken into consideration too, as they will cause damage to house foundations and utilities to your own and neighbouring properties.