From our perspective, we are not naturally a single-trunked tree but a large, branching evergreen in our native West African lowland rainforest. We often grow with multiple stems and a bushy form as we reach for the dappled light beneath the canopy. The desire for a single, tall "tree-like" form with a bare trunk and a rounded canopy is a human aesthetic preference. To achieve this, you must guide and manipulate our growth through strategic pruning, which signals to us where to direct our energy. This process mimics the natural event of a branch being broken or shaded out, triggering a hormonal response to grow anew.
Please time your intervention wisely. The best period to prune us is during our active growth phase, in the late spring or early summer. This is when the days are longer and light intensity is high, providing us with the maximum energy needed to recover from the wound and produce new growth points, called apical buds. Pruning during our dormant period in fall or winter is stressful; we lack the solar power to heal quickly, leaving us vulnerable to disease and shock. Always ensure we are in good health—free from pests and with no signs of root rot—before you make any cuts.
The method of your cut is crucial for our health and your desired outcome. To encourage branching, you must perform a cut above a node or leaf scar. A node is the slightly bumpy ring on our stem where a leaf attaches; it contains meristematic tissue, which is capable of generating new growth. Using sharp, sterile pruning shears, make a clean, angled cut approximately half an inch above a node you have chosen to be the new top of your trunk or branch. A clean cut minimizes damage and allows us to compartmentalize the wound efficiently. Avoid crushing or tearing the stem, as this creates a large opening for pathogens. You may notice a milky sap exuding from the cut; this is our latex, a natural sealant and deterrent to pests.
After the initial cut, our hormonal balance shifts. The auxins that previously concentrated in the main growing tip (apical bud) are no longer produced there. This change signals the nodes below the cut to awaken, typically resulting in two or three new branches emerging near the top, thus beginning the formation of your canopy. To maintain a tree-like form, you must also be vigilant about growth lower on the trunk. Any new buds or suckers that emerge from the soil line or low on the main trunk should be gently rubbed off while they are small. This directs all our energy upward, reinforcing the single-trunk, tree-like structure and preventing a return to our natural, bushy habit.
Your care after pruning is vital for our successful recovery. Do not overwater us; our reduced leaf surface means we transpire less water. Keep us in our familiar spot with bright, indirect light, as this energy is fuel for new growth. You may consider rotating our pot a quarter turn every week to ensure the new branches develop evenly and don't lean excessively toward the light source. With proper care, you should see new buds swelling at the nodes within 3 to 6 weeks. This process of strategic pruning and selective bud removal may need to be repeated over several growing seasons to achieve the full, lush canopy atop a clean trunk that you desire.
