How to encourage new growth in Angophora costata

[Mon F]

I am trying to get new growth in this tree in the centre of the trunk. It was originally reduced down in size October last year. Since then it reshoots but only at the top and base - as seen in photo. Suggestions have been to remove all shoots and try again, then to reduce shoots and go again - both of these suggestions haven't worked. I was also told of a technique where you pierce the trunk where you want shoots to come from but am not finding any info on internet for this. At this point am thinking I reduce the height below the whirl and see what happens but thought I'd get some other input before I cut again.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

[legoman_iac]

Keen to hear any advice ... often wondered how one gets shoots mid way. I have a fig that just decided to shoot mid way, after a defoliation, but the other figs haven't.

If it were a maple, I've seen people graft on to the trunk with saplings and smaller trees ... not sure if that would work?

[Rory]

Wait until November this year. Let it grow apeshit crazy for now.

Then trunk chop where you want the new growth to start from.
It’s simple and will work. Anything else is potentially kicking the can down the road. Eucs can be extremely stubborn ad they always want to shoot from up high and long. Don’t give it a choice. Tell it where it’s shooting from by trunk chopping it. But keep heaps of the new options it shoots with, becuause it can be very hard to get Eucs to send new shoots later on where you then want branches. But be careful of allowing a massive clump of new growth to develop as it will very quickly bulge into an unsightly blob from the new growth area. This is a natural growth of Eucs because so many pests and fauna love the new growth, so it’s an evolutionary advantage for the tree to send out as much new growth from the broken area as possible to maximize its chances of not being eaten the next time around.

[GavinG]

Also, always rub off anything that grows at the base - that's energy that could be going more where you want it.

Gavin