Old wire on ficus...

[Starfox]

So on closer inspection of my ficus I have discovered that there is still some old rusting wire left wrapped around the trunk and it is starting to cut into the tree.
For the most part I can easily remove it but it still will leave a clear channel where it has been but there are some areas that the trunk has grown over all together.
Should I remove it and leave the wrapping scars or is it fine to leave the tree to grow over it all?

 

[aml1014]

Remove as much as you can you don't want rusted wire inside your tree forever that could cause problems down the road

 

[Starfox]

That was my thoughts, anything I can do about the scars or is that called character?

 

[Cypress187]

That was my thoughts, anything I can do about the scars or is that called character?

I think they are easily healed, i can barely see it allready.

 

[Saizan]

Ficus species usually heal very fast; IMHO I would retire all the wire.

 

[Starfox]

Thanks everyone, I'll get that off tonight then.

 

[Vin]

I wonder who the heck put steel wire on it to begin with? Anyway, if you can't get it all I don't believe it's going to hurt the tree. It may stain it a little but it shouldn't hurt it.

 

[Alain]

I wonder who the heck put steel wire on it to begin with? Anyway, if you can't get it all I don't believe it's going to hurt the tree. It may stain it a little but it shouldn't hurt it.

View attachment 89761

Agreed.
There are a bunch of trees around here which totally incorporate part of metallic fences and they don't seem to bother.
The main point is that you want to avoid a too geometrical pattern that would never looks natural.

 

[aml1014]

That was my thoughts, anything I can do about the scars or is that called character?

Ficus heal super quickly if you let them grow out for a little with out pruning, I had the dame proper with mine, and 2 years later they are absolutely gone and I worked the tree very hard in that time, so without pruning who knows maybe cut that in half.

 

[sorce]

Told you your elm was your best tree!

It's all good! Just don't ruin your tools!

I'll get that off tonight

Or ruin your tool!

Sorce

 

[whfarro]

Told you your elm was your best tree!

It's all good! Just don't ruin your tools!



Or ruin your tool!

Sorce

Root prick ?

 

[Starfox]

I wonder who the heck put steel wire on it to begin with? Anyway, if you can't get it all I don't believe it's going to hurt the tree. It may stain it a little but it shouldn't hurt it.

View attachment 89761

Probably a good question for the Chinese, there was even a couple of guy wires left on too.
I couldn't clean it all out but I ran out of light so will try again in the morning, I think the odd little bit may end up staying where it has already grown over.

Told you your elm was your best tree!

It's all good! Just don't ruin your tools!



Or ruin your tool!

Sorce

lol
I better be more careful then.

Actually I agree with you about the Elm, the Ficus looks like I can do a bit of whatever I want with but the Elm is pushing me to consider it more closely. I don't think it will drop it's leaves though which is a pity because I'd like a good look in there for contemplations sake.

Anyhoo, thanks all for the replies.

 

[jeanluc83]

It looks like they were left on intentionally so that the tree grew around them. This is done with black pines frequently so that they build girth faster. To me it is a flawed technique that results in a very unnatural looking tree. I would try to get as much out as possible without completely destroying the tree.

 

[Starfox]

It looks like they were left on intentionally so that the tree grew around them. This is done with black pines frequently so that they build girth faster. To me it is a flawed technique that results in a very unnatural looking tree. I would try to get as much out as possible without completely destroying the tree.

That may of been the case, not the best wire to use though if it rusted up.
Most came off pretty easy and I'll have another look tomorrow, apart from what the wire has already done I don't think there will be any damage and if as everyone says they heal well then excellent.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Honestly it looks like a mass-produced Ficus, so they don't pay attention when they wire them and don't notice when it's time to un-wire them.

 

[Starfox]

Well I got all but two pieces, one left in the trunk and one that had ringed a branch. There was way more hiding up there than I saw yesterday.
Probably not the end of the world.