AusBonsai

Hi all,
I have been given a plant (Ficus rubiginosa) for a present which needs drastic pruning back to the trunk. I have read Leong Kwong's book Ficus in the Temperate Climate in which he gives advice on pruning back an established plant to a bare(-ish) trunk. I have heard of two different methods of doing this kind of pruning -
a) Cut back branch leaving a stub in order to reduce the bleeding of sap from the wound and chop the stub off at a later date.
b) Cut back all the way to the trunk and tidy up the wound with the concave (?) branch cutters in order to help the plant heal quickly

Which method would be better on a developed fig?
I know they tend to bleed profusely and I would like to limit this but wouldn't using option (a) mean that the tree has to repair itself twice for the same effect??

Here's a couple of photos of the plant in question - Any help greatly appreciated
Cheers

Edit: Forgot to add the trunk is around 90mm at the base.

Hi bonscythe,
Both methods should work fine on a healthy tree, provided that the pruning work is carried out during the warmer months - ie now. To stop figs bleeding as a result of pruning, spray water on the cut. If you wish when the cut site has dried, apply cut paste. Not everybody bothers to use cut paste on figs, they do heal fast, but the wood is not very durable.

Cheers
MM

I assume in technique A you refer to the timing would be to cut the stub back relatively soon - say a few weeks - after the first pruning. This would, in theory give the tree time to reroute the sap paths around the area.
My experience is that method b works just as well but method a gives better opportunity for shoots to grow on the pruned branch and often from the branch collar at its base so where you want new shoots to develop use a. Having said that figs usually respond to hard pruning in the warmer months by shooting new buds all over the trunk so you should have plenty to choose from anyway.
Don't worry too much about 'bleeding' its just the tree's natural defence and stops soon but the spray with water stops it right away and may make you feel better.

Thanks for the help Mojo and shibui!
Should I do it in stages so I don't shock it too much or will it respond better if I just cut them all off at once?
It looks pretty healthy but not as healthy as some of the others around..

I'll give it the chop soon and hopefully remember to take photos
Cheers all

Hey guys,
Use the concave method mate you will only eventually have to cut the stub off later!
As shibui said don't be afraid of Ficus bleeding its the trees natural way of sealing wounds, i wouldn't be washing it off.

Thanks for all the help guys!
A couple of updates on this one as I don't think I have a progression thread for this exact tree That picture was after an initial prune and a bit of regrowth. Lots around the collars as was mentioned by an earlier poster (Mojo?)..
Then after the summer it is looking more like this.. It's getting there, I feel..
Branching is coming along well, keeping ontop of the apex is a bit of bitch but that's what you get for quick growth!
Cheers all

looking good mate

i would be keeping the apex under control a little more cutting back harder there then lower down, this will help thick the lower branches and you will be able to build the apex relativly fast

its coming along nice though pal

ps. i would be chopping back flush the the branch/trunk when cutting back as leaving a stub isnt generally needed. the occasional branchlet will die back but a new bud will emerge at the base of that branch within a few weeks.

No worries Jamie, thanks for that!
Yeah, I ended up going all the way back the first time as you can see, bled a bit but also healed real quick as you guys said.
The only problem seems to be which new branch to choose from the 20 odd that form at the collars!
Will get onto that apex today, a bit late for cuttings now but we will see how I go with the old water heater and seedling tray trick..
I have about 50 fig cuttings going strong from last summer, all rooted & individually potted up and ready to go for next spring!
Cheers

Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the help mate, I had a bit of an attack last night and chopped off a bit of that extended straight 'leader'. Was going to leave it over winter but you twisted my arm!
I'll post a pic later if I get the chance..

Hi everyone,
Guess I finally found time to take a pic...
I've been terrible and haven't been able to do much except neglect my bonsai.
Going to try and get back on top of things if I'm able to this growing season.
Aiming to defoliate and re-assess this plant over the next couple of weeks.
I miss catching up with you all, I don't even know who's around anymore!