AusBonsai

Hi everyone,
Here is a Ficus rubiginosa (I think, ) I've had in a grow box and let go for too long and had to cut back to what you see here, I've kept a few thin branches to keep my options open somewhat but I still need a better plan for this tree. I've placed it to get the most width at the base and have an option for a front but as you can see it needs a wire and such... Any ideas or opinions welcome!
Cheers

Nice butt, as they say. It's a good core for a tree.

I would think about removing the large low branch on the right - it's not a trunk, it's too vertical and too low for a branch - unless you want to grow it on for a long time as a second trunk, it can possibly go.

The large first left branch can be cut back to about the second or third ring from the trunk, as that is where you want the foliage to be, in my opinion. That makes the upward movement of the trunk stronger.

I'm not sure how possible it is, but the large crossing root coming out of the centre of the trunk might go too, leaving a large reclining trunk with no discordant angles around it. There might be scarring under it, or it might be embedded, I can't see. Think hard before you do it!

Best of luck, it's a nice recliner.

Gavin

Hi GavinG,
Thanks for the direction(s)!
I tried to do a MS paint job of the changes you mentioned, except for the crossing root (I'm not that good ).
Is this sort of along those lines Cheers

Any paint job that gets the point across is a good one
Toally agree with Gavins idea.

Re the Foliage canopy, more rounded canopy than triangular for a Fig.

Ken

kcpoole wrote:Any paint job that gets the point across is a good one
Toally agree with Gavins idea.

Re the Foliage canopy, more rounded canopy than triangular for a Fig.

Ken

ok thanks Ken. Will that mean I should shorten the trunk to achieve the umbrella style canopy? I guess I've spent too long staring at Leong's Ficus book, hence the lack of work on this tree over the last 3 years.
Cheers

Hi all,
Update on this lazy Ficus. I took the extra steps to cut-back more as you can see - It's doing ok, a few things awry here and there but I will try and sort them out eventually.