Compare the size of a full regression tree model to the compacted model.

Load the carsmall data set. Consider Acceleration, Displacement, Horsepower, and Weight as predictor variables.

load carsmall
X = [Acceleration Cylinders Displacement Horsepower Weight];

Grow a regression tree using the entire data set.

Mdl = fitrtree(X,MPG)

Mdl = 
  RegressionTree
             ResponseName: 'Y'
    CategoricalPredictors: []
        ResponseTransform: 'none'
          NumObservations: 94


  Properties, Methods

Mdl is a RegressionTree model. It is a full model, that is, it stores information such as the predictor and response data fitrtree used in training. For a properties list of full regression tree models, see RegressionTree.

Create a compact version of the full regression tree. That is, one that contains enough information to make predictions only.

CMdl = compact(Mdl)

CMdl = 
  CompactRegressionTree
             ResponseName: 'Y'
    CategoricalPredictors: []
        ResponseTransform: 'none'


  Properties, Methods

CMdl is a CompactRegressionTree model. For a properties list of compact regression tree models, see CompactRegressionTree.

Inspect the amounts of memory that the full and compact regression trees consume.

mdlInfo = whos('Mdl');
cMdlInfo = whos('CMdl');
[mdlInfo.bytes cMdlInfo.bytes]

ans = 1×2

       12401        6898

cMdlInfo.bytes/mdlInfo.bytes

ans = 0.5562

In this case, the compact regression tree model consumes about 25% less memory than the full model consumes.