Timing question for Ficus microcarpa in Southern Maine

[Leprous Garden]

Looking for thoughts on this ficus microcarpa. I've had it since Spring 2019. I root pruned and mostly defoliated at that time and it was pretty weak for a year but took off the following one. It grew well again here in Southern Maine last year then I cut off the top as it was getting overgrown. I should have cut sooner or waited as growth in the fall was minimal. I want to root prune this year but I'm wondering about timing. What do people think about doing this now, before seasonal growth kicks in, versus waiting until growth is happening?

I know there's some grotesque inverse taper and the styling is still very early on. Mostly I want to build up the roots and have good growth this season, then continue chipping away at the awkward parts of the tree.

Pictures from Spring 2021, in late Summer I then cut the top above the nob. It currently has two shoots from the cut but they haven't started extending yet.

 

[RJG2]

Best time to repot and root prune for most tropicals is in the summer when they are growing strongly.

I didn't do mine last summer and they have been suffering all winter (due to not draining well).

I'm still trying to wait until it is warmer and they've been outside for awhile - it just means managing water more closely for now.

 

[rockm]

Summer, the hottest part of the summer, is indeed the best time to repot tropicals, particularly ficus.

 

[Colorado]

Summer is a good time as mentioned above. However I have repotted ficus microcarpa at all times of the year and haven’t noticed any difference. They are very forgiving and I’ve never had one skip a beat after a repot, regardless of what time of year.

Other tropicals I have noticed a difference and will only repot in summer.