In a message dated 6/21/2005 8:34:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:

. If it's like a Ficus nerifolia, I can
basically completely remove all green/existing branches and it'll pop back
like crazy. If it's like benjamina, I just killed the thing.

Does anyone have any experience with F. Natalensis, and how I should proceed
with it?

Keep in mind that F. natalensis is a strangler type. In normal circumstances
it grows on other trees and has almost a vining characteristic. It wants to
develop a lot of aerial roots that will entwine the host and then go to the
soil. As such its trunk is more a cluster of aerial roots. The specimen I have
has not developed shoots lower on the trunk but does around cuts and wounds. I
suppose what I am saying from experience with one tree is that it will pop new
branches around where you cut branches off but doesn't seem to do so elsewhere
on the trunk. I have removed sprouts from the roots. The tree I have has
fairly large leaves but they do respond to pruning. I have not totally defoliated
it as I have F. nerifolia. There is a smaller leaf version.
Billy on the Florida Space Coast

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Keep in mind that F. natalensis is a strangler type. In normal
circumstances
it grows on other trees and has almost a vining characteristic. It wants
to
develop a lot of aerial roots that will entwine the host and then go to
the
soil. As such its trunk is more a cluster of aerial roots. The specimen I
have
has not developed shoots lower on the trunk but does around cuts and
wounds. I

Thanks Billy. Your observations will be kept in mind, it might be that I'll
have to make a cut in the bark on the trunk where i want things to sprout

This is what Rob K. was saying on the galleries: "Yes Nic, it will tolerate
complete leaf removal and bud back like crazy. It will also make lots of
aerial roots when the top canopy gets full."

Note, I've taken the liberty of putting your comments on the thread on the
gallery

Cheers

Nic

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In a message dated 6/22/2005 8:07:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:

This is what Rob K. was saying on the galleries: "Yes Nic, it will tolerate
complete leaf removal and bud back like crazy. It will also make lots of
aerial roots when the top canopy gets full."

I know Rob well, he lives about 30 minutes south of me. You asked about
sprouting branches on the lower trunk, which I have not seen. It does bud well
around cuts.
Billy on the Florida Space Coast

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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

I know Rob well, he lives about 30 minutes south of me. You asked about
sprouting branches on the lower trunk, which I have not seen. It does bud
well
around cuts.

Ah ha! Cool. I'm getting a better and better picture of this all the time


Thanks

Nic

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