AusBonsai

Hi people.
I've had this ficus for a while now and still attempting to get the roots to clasp the rock properly but I think I have that under control at last. A few failed attempts as the roots were fairly large when I tried the first time, so I've cut them back and tried again. I am a little unsure about the rh branch though, should it go? I feel it is too thick for the size of the tree and compared to the rest of the trunk.
So should it stay or should it go? And should I cut it now so it can start to recover or wait for it to attach properly first? Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks

It is great to see the shibui root over rock method has made it to Cairns. that it works this time.

I think you are right about the large branch. I know figs naturally have huge branches but I think that one spoils the tree a bit so i would remove it.

I think I would leave pruning until the roots have at least developed a little. I believe that root growth is directly proportional to the leaf canopy above ground so less branches will probably mean slower root growth. in fact I would have left the leaves on this year but I suspect that in Cairns you will get good growth year round so might not matter in the long run.

Nice trunk movement there
that right branch is a little on the large diameter for me, as I think Ficus can get away with it. I would probably leave it, to concentrate on building the rest of the branch structure and ramification. If it was kept, it would certainly need to be wired so that it cascaded down toward the ground then starts to move back up just like the old figs we can all see everywhere.

Ken

Thanks for the replies Neil and Ken

I did the roots back in late October and had a thripe issue on my figs in November but didn't defoliate this tree then. Figured I needed to get rid of them before they spread again to my other trees so off they came today.

Looking forward to seeing 1st hand how the foil works Neil. I really like the idea (and the results you get with it) as the last time I tried I used grafting tape which didn't work at all. Feeling very hopeful this time.

I really like the movement on this tree too. Funny enough it is all natural, pulled this tree from a crack in the wall at my mother in laws place...

Thanks again for the advise.

I am with Ken,

I think the RH branch is a little heavy for the trunk, and personally I think I would wait till it comes back into leaf and then shorten that branch back to the first shoot and either control the amount of foliage on that branch in the future in order to re-direct vigour to the rest of the tree or, remove it completely later. I believe removing it completely would exentuate the taper the trunk already has.

cheers,

Jerf