Winswept Willow Leaf Fig

[kvan64]

I was given this fig this afternoon by a good neighbour-friend of mine. It has good taper but the base is asymmetrical for a good formal upright, which is a usual style of willow-leaf figs. This is my attempt at windswept style to complement the shape of the base. I didn't remove the small shoots at the base in hoping them to help thicken the lower trunk further. The left hand branch should be removed to be more convincing at windswept but I left it there just incase I want to chop the tree down and use it as a new leader.
Please feel free to comment and suggest as this is my first styling of willow leaf figs.

Cheers,
DK

[simo_5]

that looks good mate it wiil become very nice with a bitt off touch up shaping, nice one!

[Jamie]

this one isnt working for me mate.. sorry

if your happy with it though thats what counts! it has a great base to work with, i would of considered using that and formed a different tree, but that is just me, it will be interesting to see how this style settles into and develops

might grow on me

jamie

[kvan64]

No worries jamie. I didn't wire every individual branch to shape as I was still unsure what I would do with it. I post it and asked for suggestions as I ran out of idea. The asymmetrical base is hard to work with. I tried to put some wavy movement to turn it into informal upright but the trunk is too big to bend hard and the bark started to bleed heavily. Maybe raffia tape will help?
Do you have any styling idea for this one?

[anttal63]

Oh goodnes Dk when i saw that BOTTOM SHOOT. Well just for a moment i thought...

[Taffy]

I reckon this could look good as an informal upright with a few more bends in the trunk. Just my opinion, but I think that's what I'd do with it if it were mine.

[kvan64]

Oh goodnes Dk when i saw that BOTTOM SHOOT. Well just for a moment i thought...

Yeah yeah I know. It's in the wrong place What do you think antt? Bend? ...Chop? ...Ditch?

[anttal63]

Dk if it were mine i would keep that lower shoot for now and chop to the next branch higher up. Bend and continue to grow. The rest of the trunk should shoot nicely and then you are on your way to growing nice stock!!!

[Jamie]

i reckon ant has the right idea DK

you should be able to wrap it in raffia or bike tube around the trunk to introduce more movement, i woud wait a bit for it to heal though if it is like you said and it was bleeding means you have split the bark in some points.


jamie

[kvan64]

Just some updates.
I have chopped it to reduced the height and did some root work and found a pot for it. It a bit too big but will help with growth. Will reduced more branches when it's recovered.