Hello everyone,

I'm in the UK and and about five years ago I bought a small Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) from a garden centre and it's been growing happily in a pot in my front room since then.

As it now stands about 2 metres tall it's reached the ceiling and run out of room to grow upwards - can anyone advise me if I can trim the top off without damaging its health?

Or alternatively, would it be happy outdoors from now on? - I think I read somewhere that they can survive occasional frosts, and UK winters tend not to be all that harsh now.

Many thanks in advance for any help

Hi Sausagetreeslim. What is a Sausage Tree ??. I have a Queensland Bottle tree that I hope to develop as a Bonsai at some stage in its life. Just wanted to let you know that I have cut it back twice in 6 years to a dormant bud down the trunk and it has sprouted new branches at that point each time. I have also reduced root ball to expose roots. The tree has lived outside in semi shade in a plastic garden pot. We are heading into winter in Oz so I will wait a till just before spring to reduce the trunk one more time. It is currently about 1/2 metre. I would give yours a spell outside as you are heading into summer and take to it with your pruning saw. Be brave..you can bring it back into the house during your autumn/winter period once the new shoots have come away. dont overwater..that is easy here as we dont have any water.
Regards
Dennis

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Hi Dennis - thank you very much for your reply and the information about pruning a bottle tree - that gives me the confidence now to go ahead and give it a good trim!

I heard about the droughts you are experiencing over there and I hope the rainfall situation will improve for you very soon.

To answer your question about sausage trees (Kigelia africana) - they are native to tropical Africa and have huge sausage-like fruits which are a serious health hazard if you are walking underneath the tree when they fall!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kigelia

(QUOTE Dennis Le Cornu Hi SausageTreeSlim - Sorry I have only just revisited this site and didn't realise that you had responded. How did the bottle tree go. Two weeks ago we had 6 consecutive days over 40 degrees, maxing at 46.5 and all the leaves burnt on my tree. As soon as the cool change came (30+ degrees) it resprouted new shoots and is looking fine. I dont think I would like to roll my swag out under one of those sausage trees.
Regards
Dennis.