Help with Ficus trimming/styling

[declay]

I need some advice on styling my ficus bonsai. Is it advisable to trim the long branches all the way back to the red lines. Can I remove all the leaves, and will the tree survive if I do so?



My goal is to shape the bonsai into an umbrella form—any tips on achieving this?

 

[MHBonsai]

Welcome! How long have you had it? I ask because often the first step for big work on ficus is to be sure it is growing actively. It will thrive outdoors in the heat of summer and that’s usually the best time for hard pruning in my experience.

Removing all the leaves will force a stress response, which can get you back budding and a fresh new crop of leaves. On a vigorously growing tree that can be really effective, but on trees that are struggling it can kill them. I wouldn’t risk it on this tree from your photos.

You can cut back to the red lines if that fits your design vision with no issue. The tree will push new growth at or near your cuts.

 

[declay]

Welcome! How long have you had it? I ask because often the first step for big work on ficus is to be sure it is growing actively. It will thrive outdoors in the heat of summer and that’s usually the best time for hard pruning in my experience.

Removing all the leaves will force a stress response, which can get you back budding and a fresh new crop of leaves. On a vigorously growing tree that can be really effective, but on trees that are struggling it can kill them. I wouldn’t risk it on this tree from your photos.

You can cut back to the red lines if that fits your design vision with no issue. The tree will push new growth at or near your cuts.

Hi, I've had my Ficus for 2-3 years.

Since I live in an apartment, I can't place it outdoors. However, living in Singapore means it's summer all year round. Would it be safe to prune it?

 

[Shibui]

Singapore - summer all year round so prune and transplant ficus whenever you feel like it.
Do we know what species this Ficus is?
The bark appears to have white lines so my guess is one of the Ficus microcarpa cultivars so I would say it should be safe to prune and to defoliate (remove the leaves). I see there are also long, skinny shoots down lower too so trim any long shoots when you remove the leaves.

A few Ficus species don't take kindly to hard pruning but most thrive on it. The cuts you have shown are minor so no problem whatever it is.

To achieve the umbrella canopy simply trim the highest shoots more often to allow any lower ones to reach the desired outline. Be patient though. It may take several years to achieve what you want. Don't let lower shoots to grow out to the canopy in 1 spurt or they will always be long, straight and skinny. Much better to cut and grow to allow branches to get to the desired length in several growth spurts. You will have much better looking branches by doing that.