New ficus bonsai

[Trimaptim]

View attachment 318813

Oh dang lol yeah you're a tad bit away from Florida tropicals.

 

[leatherback]

Oh dang lol yeah you're a tad bit away from Florida tropicals.

Yeah, 52 degrees north. So similar to Alaska, Great Sitkin island.

 

[JonW]

I agree with what a lot of people said - nice material, and some areas that stand out to be dealt with:

• Define 1 apex
• Initial stretch of trunk is too straight
• Once the trunk does split and change directions, there is reverse taper. I can see it branches at least 3-ways: the two apexes and a low branch on the right (not sure if there are more on the back).

I agree you could deal with the straightness of the trunk by hiding it with aerial roots that would eventually fuse. Another option is to remove the top of the tree (either by cutting or air layer) where there is reverse taper and make a really squat, 2-trunk.

In terms of dealing with the 2 apexes that would also maybe help with reverse taper... I'd take a saw to the apex on the left, cutting at a slant from just above the branch on the left and cut down to the crotch of the two apexes/trunks, then do some carving on the wood. This will lighten the trunk on the left, which is too heavy compared to the lower trunk, and add some taper. This would also remove the crossing branches between the two trunks.

Lastly, as mentioned above, reduce everything to bifurcations. This includes removing the trifurcation (splitting into 3-ways) I mentioned in one of my bullet points, where the is reverse taper.

 

[Trimaptim]

Thought I'd update this with some good news. A new bud popped right at the base of the trunk so once I let it grow for a while, this telephone pole will look more like a proper bonsai with taper.

 

[leatherback]

Hm.. I hope i misunderstand.. Why do you think you need this low bud?

 

[Trimaptim]

Hm.. I hope i misunderstand.. Why do you think you need this low bud?

Because letting it grow up for a while it will help thicken the lower trunk, so it's essentially growing into a sacrificial branch.