bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Ficus Benjamina Leaves Grow On Only One Branch

Jonesboy98:
If you look at your tree as a long term (10 year) project, you have a couple of choices, and maybe someone else will have more alternatives.

First off, if this was my tree, I always think taper, taper, and more taper! That means that you would have to cut off the upper trunk (see your picture attached with a couple red lines through it.

Now you could saw at that point or do an air layer at that point. If you saw it (chop) at that point, the young branch with a couple of leaves becomes the apex and you should let that grow for at least a year (or more).

You could also air layer a little higher than the red marks, and end up with two trees. The upper portion should have a good development of roots before separation. Again, don't be in a hurry, this is a long term project.

The general idea is that the branch(es) become part of the trunk and from there after a year or two, you pinch back the apex leaf sheaths, and continue to pinch until new leaves break out on the trunk. You let them grow until they develop into branches along the trunk. Let them grow for a year or two and then select the branches that will create a nice looking tree.

In the mean time find some other trees to "play" with and keep this tree as a long term project.

I did a little research in my files, and below are a couple posts going back to 1998:

Perhaps you are not taking off enough of the ends of the branches. I pruned my ficus this summer and removed the outer 1/3 of the branches. There were very few leaves left when I was finished. When it sends out new shoots from the last leaf, as you describe, I prune those back also. In the last few months I have been getting new buds all over and the branches are more dense. I was surprised how much branch removal ficus will tolerate and produce new leaves very quickly. Melissa (Unknown poster)
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Hope this helps. Posted by: Dennis McDermott - Sydney, Australia (dennismc@nlc.net.au) on Mon, Oct 26, 98 at 15:21
Melissa has hit it on the head. As I have posted on the forum previously the Ficus will not back bud well if the branch has become spindly, with growth only at the ends. my only comment is, that you could remove even more than 1/3 successfully. It is essential that end buds are pruned regularly