Rob,

We have some jade that is > 2" in diameter and 2 1/2 feet tall and only about four years old. There is a jade I've seen on three trips to Sausalito, CA, that is easily over 20 years old growing by the bay.

Don't be too agressive in pruning jade, it recovers well from trimming, but if it loses too much energy it will give up the limb. However, pop off a branch, it will grow two. It's a fun indoor bonsai.

Not in my study and experience. I've found that jades can be pruned quite aggressively. Some folks even prune with a machete in regions where it grows outdoors (and is regarded by some as a weed). Jades respond well to hard pruning and light trimming alike. I prune in the fall, in my northern California zone 7, and can expect vigorous growth by spring.

Josh

I should have been more specific in how I meant "agressive." I should have said repeatedly. When I pinched back the growth on a limb, it would double up, when done repeatedly, it lost the limb. the limb hollowed out and died. I tried it again on a limb I was not interested in on another jade and had the same experience.

Jade is extremely hardy, I was just trying to caution against repeated pruning of the same branch without giving it time to recover. It will give up that branch.

Age of any tree cannot be obtained from its looks....I have 30+ jades and the oldest one around eleven years old and the mother of half of my jades is only has a 2" base, Some of her cuttings have 5 and 6" bases and are only seven years old. Size and appearance has nothing to due with age.