Ficus ID

[CraigM]

Hi,

Starting new thread to identify this fig recently added to collection. Any views appreciated?

The tree was fairly overgrown, was pruned back a couple weeks ago, and typical Melbourne weather has been lousy since, so haven't had much sun. The growth you can see would have been inside the canopy, pruned back roughly for now. Once the weather warms will reshape and repot.

[Ent]

I think Moreton Bay due to the red petiole and broard leaf. I am not a fig expert so I look forward to other opinions.
Ent

[ben17487]

Is it not a PJ? Seems to have all the characteristics that I know them for, but I am also no expert...

[Theodore]

It's a fig!

[shibui]

Theo is spot on. The reality is you will probably never be certain which fig this is. We have seen constant different opinions on how to tell PJ and MB apart but no firm answer. It is also reality that both MB and PJ figs are treated the same way so it does not really matter whether it is one or the other.
What does matter is how well you make bonsai from it - plenty of feed and plenty of pinching and pruning.

[CraigM]

thanks all for the input, suppose either way it's a native tree which is what I was really trying to confirm. Look forward to shaping this one.

[Shaady]

It's can be with almost impossible to identify a ficus species correctly without considering differences that occur in the petiole, stipule, leaf and fruit. That being said I'm not convinced that's a Moren Bay fig as the leaves don't look thick or dark enough. More likely I would suggest it could be a Watkinsiana.