When we think about African savannahs, what comes before you is large stretches of grasslands dotted with the iconic flat topped Acacia trees. There are several species of this.
They are tall , flat canopied and small leaved in structure. The scientists who have studied these trees are not totally sure how they get this shape but they do come to the conclusion that environment has played a major part in this.
Three major reasons they say is
1) the frequent fires of the dry grass,
2) the herbivores like the giraffe which feed on the leaves and
3) the abundant sunlight in these regions which the wide canopies capture for their growth.
These factors have made these trees to adapt and grow tall with the canopies on top for their survival.
Trees most suitable to mimic this flat topped style are 1. Brazilian rain tree 2.premna 3. Feuken tea and 5. hedge plants like Duranta
Bald cypress and Japanese black pine are also suitable for this style though it is not easily available here.
The Baobab trees also known as upside-down trees are also flat topped by nature. They can also make good bonsais.
