Carving a shohin port jackson fig OK ???

[FatMingsBonsai]

Hello all,

I just wondering whether it's OK to extensively carve out a Shohin Port Jackson fig that I have had for 16yrs ??
Initially, it had a rot spot many moons ago when I purchused it and so in the process of carving the rot out, it has left an ugly hole a at bottom of the truck

I had left it for many years and since then I have been really enthused about our wonderful hobby, I decided to do something about her.

I want to really carve her deep and make a concave like fake rot with both sides kinda folding into the depth of the carving.
Will such species survive this type of trauma??? The tree is about 25 yrs young lol

Any input and advice will be tremendously appreciated from beginner to the experiance bonsaist

Best regards and happy bonsai

[Dario]

Hi FatMing sorry to see that you didn't get much of a response to your thread mate
Unfortunately I can't really offer you any help or advice on this one
I am however very interested to learn how the fig is and what you have done regarding this issue if anything at all?
Can you please post a pic of your fig as I would really like to see it, and also tell me where things are at?
Cheers, Dario.

[Andrew F]

I have a shohin ficus that has a few spots that could be turned into "hollows", so when i get around to carving them out ill update this thread with pics.

[craigw60]

Ficus have very soft wood and therefore are not a good species for carving.
Craigw

[kcpoole]

If you already have a hollow section anyway, then why not make it more attractive by carving it out.
Yes the wood is soft and will tend to rot, but treat with wood hardener will help.

The bark will try and roll into the carved section quickly, but you can allow that to happen, or cut it back whenever you need to keep the carving open if you want too.

Ken