Fig suggestions, please

I'm not happy with this tree -- for fairly obvious reasons. (Jackie made me buy it! ).

Does anyone have any useful suggestions?

Of course it is inside being mostly ignored this time of year, so it has lost half of its leaves.

Front:

Back:




I think that tiny little bottom branch on the left has to go. Other lower branches need to be pulled down????

It is about 7 inches tall (15 cm + -)

I like the view from the first photo best. I would do a little plucking from in front of the trunk and the area around the beginnings of the main branches, pinch the growth back like you would any other tree to promote ramification. As you suggested, I would loose tha small lower branching. As for the trunk, I wish I could get mine that thick, but thay aren't cooperating.

Nice start!

My first thought was to chop the top off right above the two main lower branches, use one as the new leader and the other as your first branch. You would have to change the planting angle some and it would take quite a bit of time but thats what I would do as I have lots of time.

I like the trunk although it could use better nebari around the back of it. Maybe doing a root graft or trying a partial airlayer to get roots there.

Aside from that, I think you hit right on it. Get rid of the small, first branch. Wire the rest down some. It think it will look very nice.

Ed

It is a spoiled brat. Send it to someone who can grow some muscles on that frame, you know, fig camp.

Q

Thanks, all. The rootage has aways been a problem. That's mostly the reason for the shari, to dig away a huge swollen root that marred the front of the tree; that scar was so bad, I had to move it up . . . and up . . . and up. I'll probably try a partial layer and if I get new roots, will simply remove that remaining ugly root in the back.

I guess while it's just sitting here doing nothing over the winter, I could wire the branches down. Thanks, Ed and PQ.

Jon, I'm not leaning toward decapitation at this point, but if it irritates me enough . . . (!) It's already been severely chopped once. I don't see this as a mame -- which it would be if I chopped.

Jay . . . this is a Florida tree, hence the fattish trunk.

Jim no mater what faults everyone sees i like the tree!!!would be happy to give it tlc.maybe wire the branches down some. my opion john

Hey Jim,

If anything for now, I like the ideas of others to begin by trying to developing the nebari & rootage on right side where there's none. With these trees whose growth is so fast, developing the top can always take place later. I think this tree has wonderful potental.
(As a mendicant friar, and in case you'd like to "donate" it to someone, I'd gladly pay postage to have it sent here to the friary:)
What ever you decide, I wish you all the best with it.

Hey, Jim
I recommend a new pot, and also that you try to encourage some new growth on the left branch.

Justin