My biggest Willow Leaf Ficus '89

[Redwood Ryan]

And honestly, I have no idea why I put it in this big ol' pot. I should've put it into a 12 inch bulb pan. I'm thinking of giving it a root prune tomorrow and putting it into a bulb pan, and also repotting it at this angle to see how it looks. It'd save me lots of room indoors.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I'll probably give it a good root pruning tomorrow, for the first time, then slip it into a 12 inch bulb pan. And hey, this isn't a bad view for a front (though it'll have to be tilted backwards):

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Here are some shots of the tree that show decent surface roots. The reverse taper on the left is killing me though....
View attachment 41063
View attachment 41064

Scratch that, this view, while only slightly different, shows a little less reverse taper.

 

[GrimLore]

You are doing well - quit knocking your work, and perception

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Root pruned, repotted into a bulb pan, and repotted at an angle so that the trunk doesn't lean toward the viewer so much.





And it's good to know that the defoliation didn't cause it to revert back to a regular salicaria:

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Is that even possible for it to revert back? I did not know this. I got an 89 from wigerts this summer and did the chop. It was a big tree. Not as big as yours though. It's only my second 89 and I can't find a ton of info online about them.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Is that even possible for it to revert back? I did not know this. I got an 89 from wigerts this summer and did the chop. It was a big tree. Not as big as yours though. It's only my second 89 and I can't find a ton of info online about them.

Yep, it's possible. It can happen with any of the mutations like '89, Ficus b. 'Too Little', etc.

 

[A Random User]

OK...
Ryan, I think you are over thinking your tree...
I picked your very first front you liked in post #18.

The first pic is your image...

Second pick is to kinda show what branch structure to keep...
I angle chopped the top to eliminate the taper issue.
The bottom left branch that is actually coming towards the
viewer needs to be cut back to introduce new growth, that
can be wired in the direction you need.

The last pic is what the shape of the tree with foliage might
look like...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

View attachment 42014View attachment 42015View attachment 42016
OK...
Ryan, I think you are over thinking your tree...
I picked your very first front you liked in post #18.

The first pic is your image...

Second pick is to kinda show what branch structure to keep...
I angle chopped the top to eliminate the taper issue.
The bottom left branch that is actually coming towards the
viewer needs to be cut back to introduce new growth, that
can be wired in the direction you need.

The last pic is what the shape of the tree with foliage might
look like...

Overthinking? Me? Nahh

That's what I'm best at


I like your design! Thanks for taking the time to make it. I think that is something that is definitely achievable, and it's better than anything I've thought up thus far. This tree is backbudding all along the branches after I cut them back, so it seems happy. Thank you!

 

[A Random User]

No problem... You can actually do quite a lot with the basic structure that
I laid out... The style was just the first thing that came to mind.
I would start with the main structure and just develop it from there, the
style is not important at this stage...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I think I'm going to tackle this tree today and take it in the direction you suggested Sawgrass, that looks like a natural Ficus appearance, rather than what I normally do with them

 

[A Random User]

Good Luck !!! Post some pics as it progresses...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Good Luck !!! Post some pics as it progresses...

Will do! I really need to get it down to the branches you've shown, as the top of the tree is getting burned by the lights, it's too close. Still backbudding all over, though.

 

[A Random User]

When you are able to bud and form a branch you want to work
with off of the bottom left branch... I would then suggest letting
that branch run free, wiring to shape of course, and then continually prune
everything else on the tree.

You need to focus all the tree's energy here first to help balance out
the tree... Your higher branches don't need to become any thicker for
the time being.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

When you are able to bud and form a branch you want to work
with off of the bottom left branch... I would then suggest letting
that branch run free, wiring to shape of course, and then continually prune
everything else on the tree.

You need to focus all the tree's energy here first to help balance out
the tree... Your higher branches don't need to become any thicker for
the time being.

Thanks, that's what I'm thinking too. It doesn't need all of this top growth, and the more I can chase the growth back downwards, the better. I'll begin hacking at it tomorrow. With 80% humidity, 80F temperatures, and constant air movement, hopefully I can get some nice buds on the trunk

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I cut this tree back to its bare bones today:

 

[tmmason10]

I cut this tree back to its bare bones today:
View attachment 42298

Nice, I like it. I expect to see it as a bush in no time.

 

[thams]

Very brave and a good move, I think! Definitely let us know how it looks once it leafs out.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Thanks guys. I don't like the lack of branches on the left there, but with the way this one's been budding out I have faith..

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Quick update on this guy. New leaves that come out are a bright red for several days, then change to green. It's backbudding like crazy, and there are some HUGE leaves, plus some figs, which I have never seen on any of my Willow Leaf.