Rescued ficus benjamina I think

[iaran001]

First post woohoo! This ficus was in a 5 gallon nursery pot with the thickest taproots I have ever seen. They were as thick as my forearm. It was totally root bound. It started out as a 10foot tree some neighbors had chopped up and thrown out. I dragged it home and chopped it down to 18 inches. I also gave it a nice and much needed root pruning to promote some feeder roots to form. It has some nice nebari ( ill have to post some better pics) and is around 10 inches at the base and 5inches thick further up on the trunk. I put it into a much bigger pot so I can bring this ficus back and get some more roots growing to hopefully get some budding on the trunk. Eventually I plan to chop it another 8 inches but for now shes just gonna stay put and hopefully recover nicely in a year or so. Sorry in advance for the bad pic. Ill get a better one up soon.

now that I think about it, ita might be a retusa. I dont know yet.

 

[GrimLore]

That is an uber find in my book! Thank you for sharing that and it does not matter which one it is! Another picture or two with a scale much appreciated when you have the time

Grimmy

 

[DougB]

Interesting! Keep us informed. OH and welcome.

 

[iaran001]

I took a few more pics. The last pic is of the current back side of the tree.

 

[Poink88]

Check if this variety back bud well.

Too tall, if this is mine, I would chop it down to 12"

 

[iaran001]

Im planning on chopping it down to between 8 and 10 inches. I just recently chopped more than half of the height from the trunk that was thrown out and did some mjch needed root pruning. Im going to wait until the roots take again to see what she does. She was in pretty rough shape when I found her.

 

[Poink88]

Im planning on chopping it down to between 8 and 10 inches. I just recently chopped more than half of the height from the trunk that was thrown out and did some mjch needed root pruning. Im going to wait until the roots take again. She was in pretty rough shape when I found her.

What benefit will you attain by waiting then re-chopping later? Wait for it to recover (if it will) then traumatize it again????

 

[thams]

What benefit will you attain by waiting then re-chopping later? Wait for it to recover (if it will) then traumatize it again????

I would also wait to recut it after it recovers as well. Backbudding is unpredictable so it's better to leave yourself a little wiggle room. Meislik recommends doing it this way. Once a new leader is growing strongly, then the nub above it can be taken off and smoothed out to promote better healing.

 

[mat]

If it were mine, I'd chop more off now.

 

[KennedyMarx]

Since you're not sure it's Benjamina or not I would hold off on any more chopping until the buds pop and shoots elongate. There's no harm in being patient.