Yes, rosemary can be trained and pruned to resemble a small tree, even though its natural growth habit is that of a shrub.
Rosemary plants naturally grow as sprawling shrubs. However, with careful pruning and training, you can cultivate a rosemary plant to have a single, defined trunk and a rounded canopy, mimicking the appearance of a miniature tree. This is often done for aesthetic purposes, to save space, or to create a focal point.
Here's how you can create a rosemary "tree":
- Start with a small rosemary plant: Choose a healthy plant with a strong, upright stem.
- Select the main trunk: Identify the most promising stem to be the trunk.
- Remove other stems: Cut away all other stems at the base of the plant, leaving only the chosen "trunk" stem.
- Prune regularly: As the plant grows, prune the lower leaves and side shoots from the trunk to maintain its shape. Encourage growth at the top to form a rounded canopy.
By selectively pruning and shaping the rosemary plant, you can successfully train it to grow as a little tree.
