Ficus microcarpa 'Tiger Bark' root over rock

[Steven]

G'day,

Here is a Tiger Bark fig that has found it's way into my garden. It is around 5 years old, was grown from seed and placed on the rock when it was about 12 months old. The rock originally came from Kingston at Bonsai Environment.
I've defoliated to see the structure better and allow for easier wiring. The top will be coming off and I'll pop it into a pot so I haven't taken the leaves of that part.
It currently stands 800mm tall from the soil level.

2011 August front.jpg

2011 August side A.jpg

2011 August back.jpg

2011 August side B.jpg

I see it as a pretty powerful tree and am thinking of styling it to be something like this concept sketch;

Sketch of possible future design August 2011.jpg

I'd appreciate any feedback or ideas

Regards,
Steven

[craigw60]

Hi Steven to be perfectly frank I would cut it just above the first branch and grow some taper into it. The lower part of the tree is lovely but the trunkline has very little taper which of course figs are famous for.
Craigw

[Tony Bebb]

G'day Steven

Interesting tree. Looks like it's had a hard time.

Great drawing mate. Did you do that?

I would suggest the other side of the tree in the second last pic, and reversing the direction. Same design just different front. Cut the trunk just under half way between first 2 branches.

Keep us posted.

Tony

[Steven]

Thanks for the feedback guys.
Craig, your brutal honesty is always appreciated. I may not be brave enough to follow it yet but I give you permission to say 'I told you so' when I finally do it.
Tony same as above mate, you too can remind me of Grants quote -

If you are unsure about cutting a branch off just wait 10 or 20 years and if you don't like you can then cut it off!

Yes the sketch is mine. Trying out my new techniques after Peter Adams Drawing Workshop.

I took the less brutal option last night.

2011 August after A.jpg

2011 August after B.jpg

I agree that the lack of taper is an issue

Regards,
Steven

[mickaus]

How long do you expect the wire marks to remain visible? I assume they would eventually heal over?

[bodhidharma]

I love the tree Steven and your vision but, yes i know there's a but, i feel your rock is to small. It will take no time at all for your fig to swallow that sized rock.

[The Ficus Guy]

G'day Steven!

Any updates on this guy??

[NathanM]

It looks like a man carrying a heavy rock!!
I wouldn't keep anything above the second branch, but even that lacks taper :/

[Hackimoto]

Man carrying a rock!!! It does too, least I hope that is what he is doing?????

Regarding the lack of taper, a sacrifice branch at about at the point of the left branch, would thicken the trunk from there down giving the whole tree better taper.

[NathanM]

Man carrying a rock!!! It does too, least I hope that is what he is doing?????

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Regarding the lack of taper, a sacrifice branch at about at the point of the left branch, would thicken the trunk from there down giving the whole tree better taper.

Mmmmm you could, but it would take a while

[MoGanic]

Perhaps just poke some points in it, shove some rooting hormone on those points, and bury the tree and the rock until more roots develop, then let those thicken. Could work?!

[Andrew F]

Man carrying a rock!!! It does too, least I hope that is what he is doing?????

Good god lol Root over rock has a new meaning.

[Hackimoto]

Man carrying a rock!!! It does too, least I hope that is what he is doing?????

Good god lol Root over rock has a new meaning.

Exposed root style also is a contender.

[Dario]

Nice aquisition Steven,
I missed this one last year. I am sure you are developing your design (nice drawing btw) and I am interested to see it.

Hi Steven to be perfectly frank I would cut it just above the first branch and grow some taper into it. Craigw

I agree with Craig, but as you said...can do at a later date.

I love the tree Steven and your vision but, yes i know there's a but, i feel your rock is to small. It will take no time at all for your fig to swallow that sized rock.

It does seem like that from the pics and I am interested to know how deep the rock goes in the pot?
Don't misunderstand me as I think it is great!
I was thinking of cutting as per Craig and tilting the rock to the right (as in 6th pic from the top), and trying a ror semi-cascade. One problem is the lowest branch goes away from the viewer.
The 7th pic is a better side for this design (due to the positioning of the lowest branch), but there are no roots over the rock like in pic no. 6.
If you used pic 6, maybe you could bend or notch the lowest branch to move it to the front?
For balance reasons you would have to rebuild a tight apex over the trunk where it attaches to the rock.
Also if the rock or roots are too long for this idea, you could cut them both shorterand regrow feeder roots etc A possible option for a restyle?...if you understood a word of my long winded rambblings although my idea is probably way, way off
Look forward to an update!
Cheers, Dario.

[Steven]

G'day,

Nice to see some interesting discussions going on. Even if they were pointing out possible rude resemblance of the trunk

Nothing has been done with this one yet. It's just been growing...

2012 May (a).jpg

2012 May (b).jpg

I won't do anything until the weather warms up in about 5 months.

Regards,
Steven