Is it too late?

[Tell9022]

My neighbour asked me to help save his ficus tree but I think it may be too late. If there is anything I can do to revive it please let me know. Thank you in advance for any help.
Chantelle

 

[_#1_]

I would water it really good for like a couple minutes and place it in the sun.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Scratch the trunk. If you see green underneath, there's a chance of recovery.

 

[Shibui]

Looks like that one is well past saving but ficus are tough.
If the bark is smooth it may still be OK. If bark is wrinkled the whole tree has already dehydrated and is past saving. Photo is not really clear enough to tell. I find the scratch test is often inconclusive.
First aid for dehydrated trees is immediate soak in water to rehydrate the root ball then water as needed until new shoots grow which may take a couple of months or more in severe cases depending on time of year.

 

[penumbra]

There may be some life in the roots but the top sure seems to be dead. I wouldn't waste my time with it.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Most Ficus come from wet-dry tropics, Where they have only 2 seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. I have a ficus that went 4 months bone dry one winter. I started watering again in spring and it came back to life. Ficus with thick, fleshy trunks store a lot of water. For these "ginseng ficus" types, a 2 or 3 month dry spell is not a problem.

However, Ficus are evolved for ONE dry spell per year. Once they start growing again, you don't want a second drastic dry out too quickly. That second dry spell in a few months can be the killer.

Once they are growing they want frequent water.

 

[sorce]

Hamster that thing!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Eckhoffw]

Reminds me a bit of Bib Fortuna.