AusBonsai

This is another of my figs. Not sure what sort of fig, but the hollow trunk is all natural. I am desperate to develop this into something special. Any advice on how to stop trunk rotting and direction for the future will be HUGELY appreciated,

Earls wood hardener to fix the rot.
Are the leaves rough? They look like a sandpaper fig

Ken

Hi

Don't think it is a sand paper fig as the branches and trunk are a darker brown.

Fiona

I thinks it's a PJ that needs a good feed.

Earls wood hardener is not meant to get wet as its pva based and will dissolve with constant watering.

Why not wedge a rock in the hole and the tree will grow over it in time.

Brian wrote:Earls wood hardener is not meant to get wet as its pva based and will dissolve with constant watering.

Why not wedge a rock in the hole and the tree will grow over it in time.

Does it really? Or do you just need to constantly apply it?

Am just curious (and trying to get my facts right ), as it is one of the most suggested fixes to rot, whether it be in bonsai, or around the house I've seen a few websites say that it prevents water penetrating the wood, and due to that, prevents from rot

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-ho ... -wood-rot/

The rock is a good idea though, didn't even think of that

If the Rotting wood is removed as much as possible first then treat with Earls you begin to take the wood back to solid wood again. when it's dry you should check if any areas are still soft and if so then scrape out soft rot and retreat. The Earls is only a treatyment to help harden wood . after is is wise to treat with Either lime sulphur regularly or apply a Wood Preserver regularly. Earls is a hardener which will have a given lifespan on any particular job, not a preserver as such..



http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing/qaswood.htm#3
""What chemicals are used as preservatives?
The following groups of preservatives are currently registered for wood preservation use in NSW:

copper chrome arsenate (CCA)
copper-based alternatives to CCA (ammoniacal copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper azole)
boron
creosote
pyrethroid- and metal-based light organic solvent preservatives (LOSPs).""

Brian wrote:Earls wood hardener is not meant to get wet as its pva based and will dissolve with constant watering.

Why not wedge a rock in the hole and the tree will grow over it in time.

Sounds like a good idea... Might try that. Thanks Brian

Positive ficus identification can be difficult, however the juncture of leaf and petiole on this tree would tell me that it is a moreton bay fig. The leaves can be difficult to reduce in size, however the main problem I have had with this species is die back after pruning. Be sure to prune well above a node, and then allow natural die back to this point. You can then remove the remaining stump left.

With regards to Earls wood hardener, its designed for rotted timber say a weatherboard for example. You apply the solution, and when dry you can fill and paint over it. This keeps things dry and preserves the wood rot. By applying Earls to a tree and leaving it exposed, it will re soften with daily watering. I use this stuff everyday in my job and can speak from experience.

Couldn't find a rock that looked natural enough to wedge into the cavity. I like the natural hollow look of this tree so I just repotted it.

Hi Raymond,
I have a couple of figs with similar bark and leaves.
Mine are Moreton Bay figs, so I am with Tridents' ID of your fig
Regards
Steve

sreeve wrote:Hi Raymond,
I have a couple of figs with similar bark and leaves.
Mine are Moreton Bay figs, so I am with Tridents' ID of your fig
Regards
Steve

I concur with the Morten Bay ID, especially if it was obtained from the markets.

Cheers Pup

Pup wrote:

sreeve wrote:Hi Raymond,
I have a couple of figs with similar bark and leaves.
Mine are Moreton Bay figs, so I am with Tridents' ID of your fig
Regards
Steve

I concur with the Morten Bay ID, especially if it was obtained from the markets.

Cheers Pup

Not from the markets Pup. All of my figs were given to me by a bloke who lives in Harvey. He was moving house and had a sh#t load of stuff that he couldn't take with him.

Wow, I've never seen a fig tree do a hand stand before.