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There are plants which grow naturally either as a tree or a shrub depending on capricious things like environment, climate, weather or whomever comes upon it, beast or gardener. There are many plants that can go both ways with a bit of help. I have had saplings nibbled down to their base by deer which have re-sprouted to resemble a shrub or a multi-stemmed tree. The same deer have used my multi-stemmed trees and some shrubs to sharpen their antlers and removed the lower branches to form a higher canopy, in essence making them more like your ordinary single stemmed tree.
The same occurs when a tree falls due to inclement weather, a lightening strike or an over zealous fellow with a brand-new chainsaw. The tree roots being intact force the tree to continue to grow regardless of it missing its main trunk, or perhaps because of it. Many stems will then grow from a tree stump giving the tree an entirely different look.
In the western part of the United States the Russian Olive, Elaeagnus Angustifolia, naturally grows to be a 25 foot tall, multi-stemmed tree but in the eastern part it is mostly a shrub growing in the wild as brambles along highways. Why the difference? Moisture. In harsh, arid areas it tends to shed it’s lower leaves to prevent moisture loss. It needn’t do this in the east where rain is more prevalent therefore it keeps all its leaves, gets bushier and doesn’t grow as tall.
Knowing this the inspired gardener can use this interesting information to manipulate things. That is, after all, the main objective for gardeners.
Russian Olive can be pruned to be a tree, multi-stemmed or single, by cutting back all but the strongest, straightest stems and removing any suckers that periodically pop up. Others like this include Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus), Amur Maple (Acer Ginnala), Nerium Oleander, Smoke Tree (Cotinus Coggygria), Hybrid Rose and Vine Maple (Acer Circinatum). All these naturally grow as shrubs but can easily be pruned to whatever you prefer, multi-stemmed or single stemmed trees.
Knowing all this you can now look at your shrubs with a critical and curious eye and ponder “Hmm, could I make that into a tree?” The answer may be entirely up to you and your imagination. Only one way to find out. Get those clippers out and try it. You may surprise yourself.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 For more amazing garden facts, a glimpse at an unfinished novel and amusing short stories come visit me at
http://www.helium.com/user/32782
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