Opinions on a Style?

I am not sure, not having much experience with ficus. But the number of small branches that have stending there seems like way too many. So some ideas from someone not very familiar with tigerbark ficus

If this were my tree, I would probably try to decide on a future design, and remove pretty much all branches that do not work in it. That would leave all the root's nutrient supply available to the remaining branches, which would grow even faster. I think the amount of foliage you have on the branches would be enough to sustain growth, even when removing say 2/3 of the current branches.

The other route to take would be to work on the roots first; It looks like you are still trying to grow out the new root system. Maybe slip-pot it in a deeper pot, or add a ring to the soil, so you can better cover the your roots with soil. You might consider removing the fattest root someway halfway, that was forcing a burst of growth from the rest of the roots.

Maybe soe others can give their thoughts on this?

Here's this tree after a chop today:

It's ugly, but hopefully only temporarily  

Removed that bottom branch:

Good choice. Comparing the pic of when you first got it and the future it now has after making those big cuts, it's a brighter future. Look forward to seeing how it develops from here.

Mike

MikeG wrote:Good choice. Comparing the pic of when you first got it and the future it now has after making those big cuts, it's a brighter future. Look forward to seeing how it develops from here.

Mike

Thanks Mike, it's a bit ugly now, but I have hope that it'll get there  

I was getting worried but you got it,nice job. i hope you planted the cuttings

-keith- wrote:I was getting worried but you got it,nice job. i hope you planted the cuttings

The cuttings are smaller than I was hoping, but I did plant some. I'm not sure whether or not there's a size limit when it comes to rooting  

It's not what I would have done, but I'm sure it will grow nicely under your care.

KennedyMarx wrote:It's not what I would have done, but I'm sure it will grow nicely under your care.

Trust me, had you seen the tree in person I think you would've done the same

Rot is killing this tree, R.I.P.