collected banyan 10 years later

This chinese banyan was collected from a highway bank 10 years ago. Then the trunk was thumb size. The first pictures taken in 2009 show the tree in the same pot as today. The others were taken a few days ago. Aerial roots have fused with the trunk thickening it considerably. Selected aerial roots were wired against the trunk and allowed to grow into the pot where they pinned with wire staples to form an improved nebari. Hanging roots growing from under branches particularly the bottom left branch, were allowed to grow into the pot creating branches of graduated thickness. Most of the branches have decent movement created by wiring when the branches were supple. Twigging is under way on most branches, enhanced by clip and grow and periodic defoliation. More work to be done on the nebari and increasing the ramification of branches, especially at the top of the tree. Development of the toughest part to get right, the apex, has yet to begin. Lots of work ahead, including cutting the root ball back severely, a overdue repot and crossing cutting across the wire scars to promote healing.

best wishes, sam

Nov. 2009
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Sept 2012
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what an outstanding piece of material you got there

here, in belgium, such thing is impossible to achieve with subtropical species like that ficus microcarpa of yours.
well, you have the tree you have a good climate, look at that development... "oink"
and with our native species we simply cannot achieve results like that, in such short time, im-pos-si-ble
But its obvious you know what you're doing to, its not just your climate

great tree

Sam,

very nicely done!
Thanks for taking the time to post.

What does it look like in full leaf?
Later.
Khaimraj

thanks for the input yves and khaimraj.

year around growing conditions is an advantage we have over cold weather dwellers. on the other hand, you have wonderful pines, junipers and deciduous trees that warm weather people salivate over. someone coined the phrase "zone envy." I think this is a fairly common affliction. I know I suffer from it on occasion.

sorry khaimaraj. no recent pictures of the ficus in leaf. I've let the canopy grow strong and wild over the life on the tree before cutting back to retain overall shape. a thick , shady canopy retains moisture/humidity encouraging strong aerial root development, useful for trunk development, branch thickening and a better nebari.

best wishes, sam