The Vin Tree

[Mellow Mullet]

When you cut the notch then guy wire it into position, will you then cover the wound in cut paste? Or is that the whole "cut paste vs. no cut paste" can of worms? I ask because it's what I've seen recommended to then help the cut heal.

When I cut off branches on a ficus, I sometimes seal, sometimes don't. Vin is right, they ooze a latex type stuff that does a pretty good job of sealing the edges. When I notch, I use cut paste (I just use latex caulk thinned with water) and cover the paste with cut putty ( I use duct seal from HD). They reason I do this is sometimes I have notched deep on some limbs that I did not want to lose, so it was just insurance for me, they may not have needed it. Don't want to debate the merits of cut paste/putty usage, no two people seem to have the same opinion.

John

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Did some work on this tree today. It was taperless for a good portion of the tree, so I cut it back. I notched the first branch and brought it down, then I removed some wood from the section that has reverse taper. I'm really happy with the results!

 

[Vin]

That turned out even better than I thought it would. Good work my friend!

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I like it.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I ended up taking this guy back a bit. The straight section lacking taper bothered me a little but so I took it back to the second branch on the left that will become the new leader. I'll let that grow then take a shoot off of the leader and get it back over the middle of the tree, making a nice small tree with good taper.

 

[Vin]

Well, if you want to make a smaller tree then maybe you should consider digging even deeper and remove the branch on the right. Then tilt the tree a little to the right and I think it would be a dramatic improvement. It looks healthy enough to do it.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Well, if you want to make a smaller tree then maybe you should consider digging even deeper and remove the branch on the right. Then tilt the tree a little to the right and I think it would be a dramatic improvement. It looks healthy enough to do it.

View attachment 155573

Ohhh man I really really like that. Removing that branch was never really a thought of mine because of the size wound that would be left behind.

My current plan is to let that leader take over then use a branch that comes off of it to become the new leader in the future. I don't know if I can justify removing that right branch just yet, but that's definitely an appealing look.

 

[Jeremy]

Nice!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Nice!

What do you think about removing that right branch Jeremy?

 

[Jeremy]

I personally like that branch. If you were to remove it, it would give the illusion of more taper but then you're stuck with a boring (ish) informal trunk. You'll still want a branch on that side of the trunk and by cutting it the tree will probably only give you replacement buds around the wound anyway. Some people would argue its too low for a branch but I like Ficus with low branching, its a focal point in my eyes. I do see you cutting it back for taper and division in the future, for now let it grow strong and get a bit more callous rolling on those cuts.

 

[thomas22]

Nice, I like where you cut the top. You had to get rid of the straight and taperless trunk. I think I would keep the first right branch also. It looks a bit low now but you could lower the soil a bit more like the tree looked in the first few pictures.