Ficus salicaria group

[Kirk]

This is a willow leaf ficus group I started from cuttings around 2004. I recently defoliated it to do some wiring. The smallest tree on the right is a little worrisome to me. I think the trunk needs to come up a bit and simulate the movement of the other trees. Comments, questions, criticism and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

Best,
Kirk

 

[Redwood Ryan]

What a hideous group. To save you the embarrassment of having it in your collection, I'll let you ship it to me so I can keep it among my ugly trees.

Kidding, of course. I think it's beautiful. I just love the bark on these when they start ageing. I agree on that small tree, I would wire it or do something with it to make it match the others.

 

[GerhardG]

Hi Kirk

Very nice, just a little tweak away from perfection!
Are the last 2 tree a twintrunk single tree?
To my eye the last trunk needs to be moved a tiny bit to the right and then some movement wired in if possible.

Great anyway!

 

[Kirk]

Thanks guys.

Ryan- I'll be more than happy to give you the trees. But, due to my very detailed and careful packing, shipping will cost several hundred $.

All of the trees are single trunk. The smallest tree to the right is in front of the other. In the 2-D photo, it makes the bases look connected. I'll be wiring it up to take care of that rainbow arch.

Best,
Kirk

 

[Dav4]

That's a nice grouping, Kirk. I'd love to see it in person...any chance you'll bring it to a meeting?

Dave

 

[Kirk]

Thanks, Dave. I'll bring it to the study group if you will be there. Hope you are doing well.

Kirk

 

[Dav4]

Thanks, Dave. I'll bring it to the study group if you will be there. Hope you are doing well.

Kirk

I should be there.

 

[stacy allen muse]

so, Kirk... what did you end up finally deciding to do??? I know if the small trunk was removed, it would cross the Fung Shui line of not having an odd ammount of trunks... but I can't help thinking it would look better perhaps without it ??? Hummmm.... or perhaps moved to the left side of the planting... just my two cents...

 

[Kirk]

so, Kirk... what did you end up finally deciding to do??? I know if the small trunk was removed, it would cross the Fung Shui line of not having an odd ammount of trunks... but I can't help thinking it would look better perhaps without it ??? Hummmm.... or perhaps moved to the left side of the planting... just my two cents...

I haven't done anything to it yet. It's been so africa-hot and the mosquitoes have been so bad, I run out to water and dash back in. I'm sure I've contracted West Nile. Fortunately, I drink enough tonic to ward off malaria.

All options are on the table at this point. Erik Wigert liked it when he saw it a few weeks ago. His only suggestion was to reduce a little height and pull up the apex on the 2 smaller trees- which I did before taking the photo above. He thought it was a graceful little group.

I'm thinking, in the short run, of pulling the smallest tree up towards the rest of the group and adding a little movement to the trunk. I'll do that in the next day or so and post another shot.

Thanks for taking a look and offering some suggestions.

Kirk

 

[stacy allen muse]

tweaked your pic in photoshop, adjusted the angle of the small trunk, removed it's lower branch...
also, I in the pic I changed the top leader you had, to make the trunk to the left of it the new leader.
Erik has a good eye, and I happen to agree with him... very nice group planting, very forest like. perhaps down the line one might consider a rock slab in place of a pot ???