My journey with a Fig from 1984 to now and beyond

[Jon Chown]

Antonio, I can't understand it but every time I go near it, it runs and hides yelling something like 'no more', 'no more'. When I do eventually catch it I will take another photo for the progression and further advice.

Jon

[anttal63]

dont be thcared jon.

[Joey]

hahaha, How can the poor tree run away with all those limbs removed!!

[Steven]

Hi Jon,
How are your cuttings looking and what progress have you made with the re-style of this tree?
Regards,
Steven

[Jon Chown]

Steve, I threw the cuttings in the bin - I just don't need any more Figs.

As to the progression - I have to admit to being scthared to cut back real hard so did a compromise and just cut back about 8cm to 10cm all over. I have been rewarded with new shoots on almost all branches.

Fig Progression 1.jpg

Fig Progression 2.jpg

And here is the whole tree - should I cut back further or have I missed the boat this year.

Fig Progression 3.jpg

Suggestions and comments are all welcome.

Jon

[PeterW]

Hi Jon,
I find it very difficult to look at the tree and i think this is because of the two very large opposed branches. My eyes want to go off in different directions. Without seeing more pictures of it from all around the tree to gain some sort of perspective, i would suggest removing the left side branch and changing the front to have the branch on the right going back instead of straight out to the right. As i said it is difficult without seeing more angles of it. It certainly lookes healthy and would most likely be okay with a further cut back, but you should be sure of the next one, if there is a next one.
Regards
Peter

[Jon Chown]

I find it very difficult to look at the tree and i think this is because of the two very large opposed branches.

Yup Peter, They are the problem for me too. The tree didn't start out this way, it has just grown that way. This is why you must be very careful with aerial roots. At one stage I had way too many and they just thickened the branches.

I will attempt to take some more photos from different sides and angles.

Jon

[PeterW]

This is why you must be very careful with aerial roots. At one stage I had way too many and they just thickened the branches.

I will attempt to take some more photos from different sides and angles.

Jon

Ahh....thats why they are so horizontal as well! I was wondering about that. Yeah take some shots from both sides, front and back Jon. Lets take a good look at it. Out of interest, i will start a new post tonight or so on two stumps i picked up about 3 weeks ago. The council cut down a few pretty big figs down the road from me when i just happened to be driving home from work. They will show you how determined ficus are to live!
Peter
Ps...if you are up this way at all, call in and grab an Olive, they should be ok to travel now, with care.

[Jon Chown]

Ps...if you are up this way at all, call in and grab an Olive, they should be ok to travel now, with care.

I will definately come up for a visit Peter, But we might just wait till the end of the silly season and keep off the roads.


Here are the other photos I promised.

Fig in progress 001.jpg

Fig in progress 002.jpg

Fig in progress 003.jpg

What are your thoughts?

Jon

[Jarrod]

I thnk that if you can get it to throw loads of aerial roots off those big wide branches you will have something very impressive to work with.

I like it despite the obvious bar branches

[Jon Chown]

Jezz - throwing aerial roots has never been a problem with this tree, I am constantly cutting them off.

You may have a point though - If I can widen the base to where the branches rise up it may take away the bar branch look.

Jon

[PeterW]

What are your thoughts?

Jon[/quote]

First thoughts or at least some preliminary possibilities, you could cut off the overly big branches as they seem to be everywhere and take it back to a single trunk line and fuse some small stock around the trunk to head it back in the direction you originally had planned for it. That would also fix all the scars that removing the heavy limbs would create. I will try to catch up with you at some stage and maybe we can chew the fat a little over this tree. It has got quite an impressive tree in there somewhere i think.
Peter

[Si Van Nguyen]

Hi everybody, I really like this tree Jon. Nice work getting it this far! Like Jez said, I like aerial roots on this too. Maybe you can put some air plants and tiny orchids on it too, for a real jungle experience. Or maybe even some crumbling Budhha statue on the ground for the aerial roots to envelope. I think the next thing to develop on your tree would be to expose the root flare. And this point , you should let the branch tips go horizontal too, in order to flatten out for a wide canopy of a typical banyan tree. Somehow, your image of a Taiwanese style ficus don't seem to match with this tree. I think you should aim for a more natural style for your tree. Here's a sketch of how I see it. Your tree has got the great massive trunk already. That hard part is done. Growing out the foliage now would be the fastest way to develop this tree into a really nice bonsai. Enough chopping back already I think. I also found a picture of a Vietnamese styled ficus on Google for your comparison too. And more thing, get it out of the tiny pot too. That rectangular pot is beautiful by itself but it is not right for this tree. You need to get the tree in a bigger pot for the rootage to develop. Good luck!
Si

[Asus101]

Jezz - throwing aerial roots has never been a problem with this tree, I am constantly cutting them off.

You may have a point though - If I can widen the base to where the branches rise up it may take away the bar branch look.

Jon

Use the aerial roots to fuse to the trunk.

[mudlarkpottery]

You could try aerial layering across where the branches meet the trunk. Massive clump style and grow another top on the leftover trunk.
Penny.