AusBonsai

Hey everyone
I recently got given a willow leaf ficus that has a very long trunk that is pretty thin. It’s a cutting but the looks of it and I must say I’m not a fan of the current state.
Looks like someone put a branch in the ground and it somehow grew. Any suggestions as to making this tree better would be much appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry here the pictures




I’ve wired some of it and am trying to pull the branches down


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

looks like a long termer---- I would try to improve the root flare--- wash off the roots at the top and see what you have to work with--- you may be able to slow down the larger roots by shortening and encourage roots in the bare areas by scoring the bark and replanting deeper and leaving for a couple of years--- when more vigorous would try to encourage lower branches by hard pruning then later removing the top

Get it healthy and then chop the top off just after the first bend in the trunk. Or air layer the top off.

Hi Stefan and welcome. Firstly I don't think it's a willow leaf - looks like a hilli to me. How long has it been in that pot ? I think a repot and some seasol to bring it back to health is the first priority. I would put it in a nice free draining mix too.

Hey everyone. Cheers for the suggestions

I went and got some lava rocks and mixed that in. I also went in and saw a lot of the roots where tangling and growing only one way so I loosed some up and started sending them all around. I’ll leave it to do it’s thing and then hopefully next year some time I can shorten the trunk.

Is it maybe a good idea to take current branches or leaves off so that the tree can focus on on roots or new growth?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk