Big old fig tree with a narly trunk.

Paulneill · Post by **Paulneill** » March 18th, 2013, 1:09 pm

Hi guys i got this narly looking fig today and wanted to show it to you guys to see what u think or recommend. I was thinking it shouldn't be hard to get some good taper and movement into the tree by removing certain trunks . Leaving only small scars. I will study this one over winter and decide what to remove . I am assuming its totally root bound and hope I can reduce the root ball a lot over the comming seasons.

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » March 18th, 2013, 2:32 pm

It's a Benji I think.

Personally, i'd be trunk chopping real low, maybe a V cut to try to make it a Banyan style.

Make sure it's healthy before you do that, Benji's die back when they're annoyed.

Post by **Bougy Fan** » March 18th, 2013, 4:59 pm

Yes it's a Benji and I would repot it into a styro box as I don't think there will be much potting mix in that pot

Cut it back hard - sometimes Benji's are reluctant to back bud - especially where you want them

Sno · Post by **Sno** » March 18th, 2013, 5:09 pm

Hi paulneill I read somewhere on here that benji's are easy to graft . If this was mine I would be trying some thread grafts . That way you get the shoots where you want them. Plenty of material to work with.

Paulneill · Post by **Paulneill** » March 18th, 2013, 6:31 pm

So bejis are I bit tricky . I was reading about them . I will try and get it super healthy before cutting back . Should I slip pot it now to give it a bit more room to breath?
I will give it a proper root prune next summer and depending on how it responds chop it back a couple of months later.
Does anyone know how it ended up with a trunk like this ?

hugh grant · Post by **hugh grant** » March 18th, 2013, 6:42 pm

Hi mate
This looks like at was multiple thin trunks fused together over time which ja given you this fused twisty trunk.
Personally I really like it!! It actually looks quite natural and. You could create a very nice tall banyan style tree I think if you took it the right way. Stunning nebari too!!! Those wide nobly roots look great!
I'd feed it up and get some deep green into then remove old solid soil from around the roots in spring and cut back thick roots than pot into an open mix in a shallower pot.

I'll do a virt if you dont mind for the banyan styling im thinking of

Hugh

Paulneill · Post by **Paulneill** » March 18th, 2013, 8:53 pm

I would really appreciate that Hugh. I don't want to mate it too tall
but I trust your knowladge and experance . What's your views on getting it to backbud ?
I was also thinking by removing some of the outer trunks I may get better taper and the wounds left behind wont be so drastic. I haven't see the tree in person I will pick it up soon.

Paul

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » March 18th, 2013, 9:24 pm

If you're going with the banyan then a long taper isn't very necessary. Treat it more like a broom.just focus on taper from trunk to branch tips. I'd hate to try to remove/carve that trunk too- a lot of work for probably not a great effect.

But then again, I'm basically a newb too so let the veterans give their

hugh grant · Post by **hugh grant** » March 18th, 2013, 9:30 pm

hi paul
if you go for a broom style taper isnt a major issue. what youd be looking for is an interesting aerial root covered trunk with a wide canopy above that spreads and droops down. like dusty has just said here i think it would be a shame to remove some of the trunks, it has alot of character and is very interesting which makes this a great piece of stock through its uniqueness.

Hugh

dansai · Post by **dansai** » March 18th, 2013, 9:57 pm

I would agree with Hugh. The trunk has great character and although not classical bonsai material it could be a beautiful tree. A repot and cut back to the first few leaves on all branches could be a good start. Don't be in a hurry to style it. I have quite a few figs I am fusing trunks of numerous seedlings and am excited to see the results. They should make taller more feminine trees, not short stumpies. It's great to have variety and something a bit different to work with.

Good luck

Dan

Ash · Post by **Ash** » March 19th, 2013, 7:35 am

Hi, It is a perfect candidate for a strangler fig style: viewtopic.php?f=133&t=11017&hilit=+strangler . It should look even better than mine in the link in a relatively short space in time. As you intend to - repot it and get it growing well - then you could prune it down either as a chop or better still do gradually at the right time of year selecting the subsequent lowest shoot. Or you could thread graft lower branches. I think that if you cut below the first divisions and fusions to make a low style tree you will be in for die-back and trouble. Best of luck! Ash

Paulneill · Post by **Paulneill** » March 19th, 2013, 9:44 pm

Thank you all for the constructive feed back and ideas .I have never fully understood what banyan style is. i assume its like a broom style with airel roots ?.I would like to make it like a broom style with a large canopy trying to keep it as natural looking as possible .I love all the big old fig trees that i see on anzac parade in sydney and would like to aim for somthing like them but im keeping an open mind as to what will best suit my tree. im a bit puzzeled as to what height you guys have in mind because most of you are recomending making it a taller tree that normaly seen in bonsai .

thanks heaps

paul

hugh grant · Post by **hugh grant** » March 20th, 2013, 8:53 am

Ash has explained it very well there and that tree in his link is not only exceptional but along the lines of how I envisage yours.
I'll work on the virt today on my commute to newcastle.

Hugh

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » March 20th, 2013, 10:06 am

Mate if you want to see some Banyan style figs, check out this post: viewtopic.php?f=133&t=13562 . Scroll down towards the bottom of the first page. Some absolutely amazing ones - although much shorter and stockier than what you'll probably go for. But you'll agree they are very sexy trees.

hugh grant · Post by **hugh grant** » March 20th, 2013, 8:26 pm

heres what i envisage mate

Ficus benjamina strangler virtual.jpg

basically id be trying to use each trunk in some way or another to make up either side branches or the apical area. once the tree is looking very healthy id take it back to some buds further down the branches and then bend appropriate areas to desired positions ie primary branches.

Hugh

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