AusBonsai

Hi Guys

I wanted to get some second opinions/advice on styling a recently bought fig tree. I haven't had bonsai for the last 8 years. I used to have a collection of bonsai's in the previous country I lived in.

About a 2 weeks ago my wife picked up this guy(photo attached) up for me at the farmers market. It was planted in 2002. As you can see it's quite wild and hasn't had any styling or shaping. Needs some work. I've been staring at it for the last week trying to figure out a plan. I think I have one but really wanted a second opinion before I go ahead. I've made a start to open the tree up a little by trimming a few leaves off and wired a a branch or two.

The specific questions I had was around whether the branch labeled 1. I should remove. It points directly at the viewer. I've tried to wire it down and slightly away but worried it looks unnatural. Another branch 2. shoots straight up. I'm thinking I should also remove this as the tree is so full and not sure that it is adding anything. Also 4. and 5. I wonder what to do with these.

Label 3. is a whats left of a large branch that was cut off some time ago I'm guessing. Do you think I should leave this or remove this? Or?

I terms of next steps. I'm keen to try reduce the leaf size. Plus neaten up generally. Do you think pruning back all the leaves is the best way to do this. I've never cut all the leaves off a bonsai before. Am worried about putting the tree under too much strain, but think it needs to be done.

Any styling advice- Ideas are very welcome.

Thanks,

Tom

have you thought about planting it on a rock ? Plenty of info here if you search around.

Hey Tom,

Welcome mate! That's a nice fig you have there, very healthy and has a pretty decent trunk!

First of all, I'm pretty new to this so you don't have to take my word for it, but I'll give you my .

1 and 2: Yes, I'd remove them both. I would actually remove the branch these two are on and use the one below it as a main branch.

3: yep, cut it off.

I would keep either 4 or 5 (keep 5 and remove 4).

I would also remove that branch you've coloured blue on the right hand side, as well as the one above it.

That would also thin it out quite a bit and give 5(or 4) more Sun to encourage growth.

Also, I would pull some of those aerial roots in closer to the trunk.

What do the other sides look like?

Thanks for reply guys

All good info. I've never actually thought of planting it on a rock. Must look into that - see if it might suit. The tree is quite large so not sure if it would look right. Will look into it though.

Jarad thanks for the info mate. I think I'm going to give it a go I might leave the branch that 1 and 2 are on for now and remove 1 and 2. If it still doesn't look right then might remove that. The branch below is a good branch. Not sure how I'm going to remove 3 - it's quite a big stump. Might have to buy some special tools no excuse needed!

Good advice on the roots. I never even thought of bringing them closer into the tree. Or doing anything with them. How would you bring them in? Would you use wire I'm guessing you wouldn't want to cut any?

The other sides are just as wild. I'll try get some pics of it. But I'm going to have to thin out the branches. There are just so many.

Greetings, remember this is a fig. It should not be styled like a pine tree. It should not have a pointy apex but a round top. Don't cut the lower branches, they are just small because they are not getting enough light. Thin out the upper foliage and remove the growing tips. If you cut the leaves to one third the leaves will grow back much reduced. Roots should be worked and sorted before you get too carried away with styling, it should look like a fig. Read more books and join a bonsai club. Happy bonsai,
Bruce

Hi tom
If you do decide to do root over rock Google Shibui bonsai , he has a very good article on going about it
Peterb

Hey bonsaibruce

Ya I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Got a few books from the library - Am really enjoying it learning as much as possible. There's so much out there.

I've been looking at a bunch of bonsai fig trees, trying to establish a look in my mind. Theres a great number out there that look superb. The round top is defiantly something I would like to achieve.

Am going to cut back the leaves to 1 third.

T

MrDirns wrote: Jarad thanks for the info mate. I think I'm going to give it a go I might leave the branch that 1 and 2 are on for now and remove 1 and 2. If it still doesn't look right then might remove that. The branch below is a good branch. Not sure how I'm going to remove 3 - it's quite a big stump. Might have to buy some special tools no excuse needed!

No worries, keep us up to date on how you progress. I'm always looking for an excuse to buy more toys/tools.

MrDirns wrote: Good advice on the roots. I never even thought of bringing them closer into the tree. Or doing anything with them. How would you bring them in? Would you use wire I'm guessing you wouldn't want to cut any?

I think grafting tape would work well and apply even pressure across the roots. I was more thinking about those ones that poke out at a 90° angle from the trunk.

MrDirns wrote: The other sides are just as wild. I'll try get some pics of it. But I'm going to have to thin out the branches. There are just so many.

Figs do grow crazily quick, so it's can be a good idea to get on top of them. If you're a big fan of figs, you should definitely check out Bonsai World in Jilliby.

Did a little virt earlier today and thought I posted already but must have not !

I would cut back hard and then wire all the branches out and down to give them the movement of an old ficus we see everywhere.
the branches leave the trunk in an upward direction then out and down due tot he pendulous weight of them.

The upper section will be grown from shoots of your upper stump left to make a rounded canopy.

Ken

kcpoole wrote:Did a little virt earlier today and thought I posted already but must have not !

I would cut back hard and then wire all the branches out and down to give them the movement of an old ficus we see everywhere.
the branches leave the trunk in an upward direction then out and down due tot he pendulous weight of them.

The upper section will be grown from shoots of your upper stump left to make a rounded canopy.

Ken

Hey Ken

This is invaluable! Your sketch really gives me an idea of how to style this tree. Thanks!!

I'm always nervous of cutting back some much but think this is right. I've just pruned the leaves to clear out a bit more to give me a better understanding of the shape. I'll compare to your sketch! And work out the best way forward.

Will post a pic!

As promised here are a few more pics.

One halfway through and the other finished styling. It took a while to get my mind around doing a harsh cut back, but am so pleased I did because it's looking so much better.

Thanks for the push Ken and the direction!

Much better
Keep the upper sections of new growth shorter and they should ramify quickly and give a good shape to it.

Ken

Thanks Ken