Peter - From the photo, it looks like a Mahoe. If it is, then I would cut the top, about a foot down from the point. Then cut, up a foot from the lowest branch, and remove the low growth. It should spread out from the top.

You are correct. It's a Mahoe. I thank you for your comment which I will act upon.

Peter - Just so you know, that's a huge tree. It can reach 50' in height with an equal spread.

I have two that are trees but you need to keep cutting the side shoots or you will get a huge suckering shrub. I love mine and am propagating the shoots I cut off.

I'll have to keep it trimmed to a reasonable height and of course I watch for the side shoots. Thanks for the responses.

Fawnridge, you may be mistakened on the height of this. Follow this link for info.

http://www.mgonlinestore.com/VarSeaHi/

Peter - If you live near Davie, take a ride to the BCC Central Campus. In the quad there's a Mahoe that's been in the ground for around 20 years. It's taller than a 4-story building. The one in the photo below is from Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Admittedly, zone 11, but it's over 30 feet tall and 50 feet wide - around 25 years in the ground. Don't believe all the internet data you read, go from experience when it comes to plants and trees.

That is really big! I don't live near Davie. I am in PB county. I guess I"ll have tokeep this trimmed on a very regular basis. Either that or pull tem out of the ground. Although the tree shown does not look like a tricolor.

Actually, the green ones get much wider than 50 feet. 100 feet is more like it. I don't know how big the tricolors get though as variegation often dwarfs a plant to some extent and there are really not many old ones around.

There used to be some absolutely huge green ones on the Turnpike in PB County and may still be there.

My research shows the variegated ones (Mahoe-Hau-tricolor) get to be around 20 to 30 feetapprox but certainly will need to be trimmed on a regular basis.

Peter, if you live in Palm Beach County, a great place to see mature Var. Mahoes is at the PB Zoo. They have them all over, and they are HUGE! They use them as screening plants, and they look lovely with all those bright colored leaves/blooms.

If anyone here wants two big var. Mahoes in half whiskey barrels, I'll give them away. They are problem-free and easy to grow, but are too large for my yard.

It will take strong men and a big truck to move them.

I paid $75 each for them when they were 4' tall. Saw small ones at Tropic Ranches for $40 each. My big ones have to be worth hundreds.

I'm in Jupiter.

Lisa

GC, I just sent you an email

I saw several "Hibiscus Tiliaceus Tricolor" plants - also labled as 'Tricolor Mahoe" at my local Home Depot and am tempted to go get one or two. I am beginning my landscaping and looking for smallish tree for a focal point at the corner of my house near the front door. Is this an appropriate tree? The idea of it getting so HUGE sort of concerns me! It was tagged as getting about 20 feet but I tend to come to this site to get 'real life' info. Also - how hardy? I am in zone 9. Last winter was really cold here - actually got in the teens a few times. I dont know that it is always that way. I have only lived here for about 3 years. I am a native Floridian but now I am in the middle of the Withlacotchee State Forest and it seems to be colder here.