Ficus Trunk Chop

[AZbonsai]

I chopped this ficus down from about 7 feet. Never skipped a beat it seems. Just going to let it grow through our hot summer months. Next winter will work on getting it out of the pot/roots and go from there. With some guidance may be able to make something of this.

 

[aml1014]

Pics or it didn't happen

Aaron

 

[AZbonsai]

Sorry...had to resize photos.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

It's the Emperor's New Ficus

 

[Bonsai Nut]

You didn't remove all the branches (?) Are you planning to use the remaining branches as part of your design?

 

[AZbonsai]

Being new at this I was a bit leery about removing all the branches so I left the big one for options in case the chop went south. and I am open to suggestions!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

It's all good. Normally with a tree like a ficus, if I do a trunk chop down to the stump I remove everything - as long as the roots are strong. Then you will get buds all over the trunk to work with.

 

[sorce]

You fittin.to.fill. the.root.pockets?

Nivxe.

That's French.

Sorce

 

[AZbonsai]

You fittin.to.fill. the.root.pockets?

Nivxe.

That's French.

Sorce

Oui. I know this thing is abused. It comes from my overly cautious nature and lack of knowledge about bonsai and how much work you can do on a tree at one time.

 

[sorce]

Oui. I know this thing is abused. It comes from my overly cautious nature and lack of knowledge about bonsai and how much work you can do on a tree at one time.

I don't know what that means!

Stop abusing it!

Sorce

 

[aphid]

Nice roots! They are really tough. One of the species my dad can't kill. LOL

 

[aphid]

What's your plan for it?

 

[AZbonsai]

Right now just letting it heal up. I would like to do some thread grafting on it if I do not get new growth in the right places. Major root work in the fall and a repot. Bnut has me thinking I should remove the large limb to promote more growth.

 

[sorce]

root work in the fall and a repot. Bnut has me thinking I should remove the large limb to promote more growth.

Fall sounds late...

If you're looking to ditch more Trunk....

I'd wait a month or 2 then top and bottom whack.

When it's hot....
It should respond well...

But I have never gotten a leafless ficus to regrow...so leave at least the smallest branch there IMO.

Sorce

 

[AZbonsai]

I covered the roots up sorce! You may be right about the root work...just thinking of endless days of 100+ degree heat around here...it is about to be upon us.

 

[sorce]

I covered the roots up sorce! You may be right about the root work...just thinking of endless days of 100+ degree heat around here...it is about to be upon us.

Climate adjust!

I'd err sooner than later probly.

Sorce

 

[AZbonsai]

Update on the trunk chop. After I chopped the trunk in April I let it grow and grow. You can see it on the left hand side of this picture:


The Phoenix Bonsai Society had an open styling event last night. We were lucky enough to have Sam Adina in the house. He spent about 5 minutes on each of our trees. He cut it down some more and gave me some instructions on how to wire the branches. Looking forward to tackling the job this weekend. Thanks Sam, I appreciate it!

Thoughts on repotting? Sam said now.