Ficus Ben.

This is a stump, 3yrs in the making.

This is the tree i was asked to post....It was 4 ft. chopped to 1 ft..with no branches left on..i was just trying something because it was really cheap and i liked the roots...don,t ask me why!!!!!! take care john

Wow John, thanks for posting!

What kind of conditions did you grow this tree in to allow it to backbud so well?

RYAN,,When i first potted the stump i put it ina large mica pot..it was spring so it went on my benches full sun for 6 hrs.a day.. i watered when the pot was half dry..it budded out and started the branches growing un chected the first year..then i cut back all but the apex... in side in winter..thats all i got lucky i guess...try one and see what happens..take care john

John,

I saw it, I liked it, and so what are your plans for it ?
Thanks for posting.

I have one re-inspired by Yvonne, which I cut back and is just re-budding, and the back is to become the front.
Later.
Khaimraj

Khaimraj,,,To tell the truth i don,t know..i would like the branches to thicken but here the growing season is not as good as yours..give me a suggestion we will see ..thank you take care john

John,

with Ficus b., you have two choices, [1]root emphasis or [2]branches / leaves dominant / heavy canopy. Personally, I like Ficus b. for branches and foliage. Something about the weeping attitude and the gloss of the leaves, but then it's a 2 or 3 foot [ 61 - 91 cm ] specimen, very heavy specimen.

Perhaps with your cooler climate, a 18 inch [ 46 cm] tree would grow slowly enough to allow the branchlets to stay somewhat thinner, and give a better illusion of a great old tree.
Let's see what you come up with.
Khaimraj

* I tried to dream up a 12 inch [ 31 cm ] all canopy, heavy trunk, mild root base, but it got out of hand and I am re-doing - chuckle.
Had to chop back to bare wood on the entire monster. Now re-sprouting where it feels like, no control have I.

Khaimraj I have been gone for 4 days not seeing the forum how is your tree doing now???did you think i should cut back the branches???the tree is now 19 in from soil to top...any one else have a opion???? the tree is pretty strong now also....thanks very much take care john

John,

have you spoken to Jerry Meislik ?
Or Yvonne ?

I am afraid I am biased with Ficus b. and prefer a simple trunk, say 6 surface roots and a beautiful canopy to show off those glossy green leaves with glimpses of branches / branchlets.

What is your preference ?
Khaimraj

Thank you Yvonne,,, I will try to work on this tree soon and also see if it can be potted lower...thanks for your information...take care john

Hey John,

and idea for you. I just got back with 5 bales of commercial soil mix, called pro-mix. I know you shouldn't be lifting anything too heavy, so maybe this will also work for you. These bales of soil mix cost around $30.00 US. you probably get them for cheaper.

Anyhow, I have some seedlings to grow for trunks and I am taking the lazy man way out. Simply cutting one side of the plastic bag for drainage and the other side with holes for planting.
In our climate the plastic takes about 3 years to degrade.

So you can buy a bale, in late spring, just plant the ficus into it and leave alone until the first frost.
I figure you should get a great deal of growing done.
Hope this helps.
Khaimraj

Pro Mix is $13 in Florida