AusBonsai

Bonjour everyone,

About 5 months ago, I bought 2 Ficus (Benjamina I believe, one with curly leaves) that had been in large pots for at least 30 years. After a rather rough branch pruning to fit them in my car, and a very heavy root pruning, the trees are now recovering well and although they will need longer to fully recover, I am very interested in anyone's opinion... They are shooting new branches. I am sorry for the quality of the pics, I will try to get better ones if need be.
Once again thanks in advance,
Pierre

Hi there,

There is not much of the trees to start with so there might not be much advice forthcoming. The only thing I can say is let em' grow!

Cheers,

Brad75.

Feed them heaps and let them grow. remember to turn them around so they get even sunlight and they will back bud all over.

Thanks for that Brad and Raymond. I will indeed turn them around once in a while.
Cheers,
Pierre

I would try to reduce the trunks as much as possible then let grow, then pick you new leaders. Suggested chops. It looks healthy with growth below the cuts you should be fine.

Pierre I would consider a trunk chop like this BUT only once you have put it into a decent soil mix & left it for a season so is has backbudded, as you wouldn't want to do a chop this severe with without it having leaves and buds below the chop.

Let it grow. once it back buds you will be provided with more options.
I took your photo and created a virt (poorly). I used the middle branch as the main leader.
The tree is a bit tall in the virt but gives another perspective of the tree

Poorly that looks amazing, nice one.

Wow....i concur with you...that's a really nice virt. Thanks heaps for your time and suggestions..I like the use of the middle branch like in you virt, it gives a much needed curve...
will endeavor to get this tree back its vigor, before the much needed chops...
thanks once again.
Pierre