There is a ficus tree in the atrium of our office that has gotten way out of control. I've talked to the owner of the tree and have permission to trim it back. My question is this. How far can I cut it back and have it remain healthy?
As it is now:
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/09930d74.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/4629c6b7.jpg[/img]
Where I'd like to cut it back to:
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/Office-Ficus-1-Cut-Line.jpg[/img]
Will it sprout new growth if I cut it back this far?
I will also try and root the better branches that I remove.
Gooday Marsman,
For the natural appeal of the tree the I would cut it about 6inches- 1ft higher than your marked line. However, even cutting the tree down to the roots probably wouldn't kill it. This being said what is best is to leave as many leaves on as possible. Try to shorten smaller branches first before cutting the main trunks. Ficus will grown new sprouts all over and this ficus should have no problem recovering with proper treatment. Also cut about 1/4-1/3 inch above the node you wish to save as this is how far most ficus will shrivel at the cut.
Have fun, show us how it turned out :]
For the natural appeal of the tree the I would cut it about 6inches- 1ft higher than your marked line. However, even cutting the tree down to the roots probably wouldn't kill it. This being said what is best is to leave as many leaves on as possible. Try to shorten smaller branches first before cutting the main trunks. Ficus will grown new sprouts all over and this ficus should have no problem recovering with proper treatment. Also cut about 1/4-1/3 inch above the node you wish to save as this is how far most ficus will shrivel at the cut.
Have fun, show us how it turned out :]
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Marsman,
I have not had much luck drastically reducing Ficus. Over a year ago I decided to chop two F. benjamina 'Mini Lucie' I knew that Autumn was not the optimum season to do this but they were not especially old nor especially meaningful to me so I threw caution to the wind.
I cut them relatively low, leaving no foliage. They both sat like that all winter, spring and summer. They were still alive with firm roots and trunks, the scratch test confirmed this. After about a year one began to shrivel and I tossed it. The other is still coasting along doing nothing but sitting there after more than a year.
Since this is not your tree and you don't mention the variety I would be very cautious about cutting it back below the foliage. I'm sure you would hate to kill it.
I should mention that I only have that one variety of Ficus so my experience may not be truly representative.
Norm
I have not had much luck drastically reducing Ficus. Over a year ago I decided to chop two F. benjamina 'Mini Lucie' I knew that Autumn was not the optimum season to do this but they were not especially old nor especially meaningful to me so I threw caution to the wind.
I cut them relatively low, leaving no foliage. They both sat like that all winter, spring and summer. They were still alive with firm roots and trunks, the scratch test confirmed this. After about a year one began to shrivel and I tossed it. The other is still coasting along doing nothing but sitting there after more than a year.
Since this is not your tree and you don't mention the variety I would be very cautious about cutting it back below the foliage. I'm sure you would hate to kill it.
I should mention that I only have that one variety of Ficus so my experience may not be truly representative.
Norm
OK, here's it looks like now. I did as you advised and left some leafed branches
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/feef413f.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/f91ec148.jpg[/img]
And the cuttings. I have them in water with some rooting hormone.
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/7ae5712f.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/feef413f.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/f91ec148.jpg[/img]
And the cuttings. I have them in water with some rooting hormone.
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Office%20Ficus/7ae5712f.jpg[/img]