Some sort of ficus

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » November 15th, 2016, 3:51 pm

This one my granddad started 17yrs ago and unfortunately has been neglected for a very long time.
I have recently got my hands on it and defoliated and snipped it right back.

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » November 15th, 2016, 3:52 pm

Has really started to take off

Seems to be shooting all over the place

shibui · Post by **shibui** » November 15th, 2016, 6:30 pm

Even though it has already been cut back, Id consider cutting even further - way back down a little above the first fork. It seems to have started to grow some small shoots down there so it will cope with another cut now.

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » November 15th, 2016, 7:22 pm

shibui wrote:Even though it has already been cut back, Id consider cutting even further - way back down a little above the first fork. It seems to have started to grow some small shoots down there so it will cope with another cut now.

Thanks shibui
Though I think I would like to leave it the way my grandad had left it.
Do you think it has potential?

shibui · Post by **shibui** » November 15th, 2016, 7:33 pm

Everything has potential and many people see beauty where others don't. It is up to you to decide where to take this tree. I can only offer suggestions.
If you want to leave it tall with little taper you can but one spot to watch and maybe do something about - top of the main trunk has 4 branches coming from very close together. If you leave all 4 that area will get thick and look odd. I would remove 2 of them.

Though I think I would like to leave it the way my grandad had left it.

Do you mean leave it neglected for a long time? You have already made some changes to what grandad left you. Why some changes but not others?

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » November 15th, 2016, 8:08 pm

I do take your suggestion on board.
Do you think it will shoot back down low? And do I slowly snip further down over time or chop down low in one go?

Ryceman3 · Post by **Ryceman3** » November 15th, 2016, 8:20 pm

benbonsai wrote:I do take your suggestion on board.
Do you think it will shoot back down low? And do I slowly snip further down over time or chop down low in one go?

Yep, looking at your photos it already has... If you chop lower I think it will make for a better tree, probably like your Grandad wanted ... so it's win/win...

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » November 15th, 2016, 8:38 pm

Definitely under consideration
This tree means a lot to me and I'd hate to ruin it, that's my concern

Thanks for the input, some food for though

shibui · Post by **shibui** » November 15th, 2016, 8:52 pm

Do you think it will shoot back down low? And do I slowly snip further down over time or chop down low in one go?

As Ryceman points out, it has already started to shoot right down near the base so, yes it will. Cutting a little at a time will just waste time. I'd take it off in one go.
My original suggestion to cut low was because you currently have trunks and branches that are relatively straight and all lack taper and branching so there's no dense canopy. This is typical of trees that have been allowed to grow without much pruning but it does not look like a real fig with full canopy which is how most of us see figs. to get taper into the trunks, more branching and density in the canopy I think you're going to have to cut and grow the trunk again, this time with attention to regular pruning. Being a fig it might only take 3 or 4 years to get a full canopy.

I understand if you don't want to go that far but Grandad's tree will always be tall, spindly and sparse if you leave it as it is. If you're happy with it, keep it as is.

Boics · Post by **Boics** » November 15th, 2016, 9:24 pm

Yep.
Shibui is on the Money (as always).
A cut down low, some fertiliser and good selection of leaders and maintenance and you'll have a smaller admirable tree (that your grandad would be proud of) in no time.

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » November 16th, 2016, 6:23 am

Okay guys.
Probably will do it in the next couple weeks.
Can you give me an idea of what you would cut and what you would leave?
I can post some better photos this arvo.

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » December 27th, 2016, 5:32 pm

Update
After thinking a lot about what to do with this, I have decided to leave it for now and see if I can get something out of it.
I figured if it doesn't work out I can always chop it down later.
It is kinda my mums and she didn't want me to hack at it either so today I tried to style it a bit.

KIRKY · Post by **KIRKY** » December 27th, 2016, 8:24 pm

I can understand your sentimentality towards your tree. You don't need to cut it down. However, can I suggest you shorten the long branches to bring it in a bit especially the top branches. Then you can start working on a shape for it. Still keeping it tall

Cheers
Kirky

benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » December 27th, 2016, 8:30 pm

Yes I agree that it needs to be trimmed a bit, I was going to let grow a bit more then trim?

KIRKY · Post by **KIRKY** » December 27th, 2016, 8:41 pm

A now is the time for figs. I suggest you do any trimming and feeding now. You will find it will power on over the next few weeks. After that it will start to slow down until this time next year. A pitty to waste a season.
Cheers
Kirky

AusBonsai

Some sort of ficus

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