What is a Ficus tree? If a person or animal were to ingest the leaves or stems, they would experience stomach pains, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. Most are quite vigorous growers that … There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Helping A Ficus Tree That Is Dropping Leaves, Ficus Tree Care: Tips For Growing Ficus Indoors, Cherry Tree Pruning: How And When To Trim A Cherry Tree, Winter Pruning Guide – Learn About Cutting Back Plants In Winter, Winter Patio Plants - Growing Outdoor Winter Containers, Pohutukawa Info – Growing New Zealand Christmas Trees, Apricot Not Blooming: Why There Are No Flowers On Apricot Trees, Learn About Aprium Trees: Information On Aprium Tree Care, Crocus Winter Flowering: Learn About Crocus In Snow And Cold, Flower Bulbs Not Growing: Why There Are No Daffodils After Planting, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. Make sure the new pot has a drainage hole. By using our site, you agree to our. Rejuvenation pruning will make the plant more compact and enhance proper branch formation. Ficus are one of the most common and easy to grow houseplants. The trees have a large amount of glossy leaves that grow on slim stems. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In fact, it is necessary in order to maintain the shape of the tree. Ficus trees have had a significant influence on both cultural and religious practices and traditions. How can I keep my 25 foot (outdoor) ficus tree from getting any taller? unlocking this expert answer. Ficus benjamina is one of hundreds of species of figs, some of which grow into large, fruit-bearing trees... First Aid. Outdoor ficuses are fairly adaptable and can be trimmed during most seasons. Ficus trees are beautiful and easy plants that will grow strong with routine pruning. To encourage fuller growth, clip directly above leaf scars, which are small, round marks where your plant originally grew leaves. Can I also remove it from the pot and straighten it's position? The location of a ficus tree is best left permanent whether indoors or outdoors. An expert shows how to escape. ", tree is still going strong. Pruning: Regular pruning is necessary to retain the tree’s shape. Indoor plants have slow, steady growth but can become heavy on the ends and lose their arching shape. ... Pruning should only be done in the first 1 to 2 years. Also known as weeping fig trees, the average ficus tree can grow up to heights of 30-60 feet with a dense canopy that can grow as wide. I have a potted Ficus tree that I recently received from a business that is relocating. This article discusses how to prune a ficus tree and when. You can buy cut paste online or at most plant nurseries. A fast grower, ficus trees need frequent pruning to keep a natural, tree-like form. You can cut more off later as the plant recovers. Pruning your ficus tree is necessary to maintain its shape. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Ficus trees, also known as ficus benjamina, weeping fig tree or the benjamin fig, have a tendency to freak people out… It seems like as soon as the ficus tree comes home, leaves start dropping.. Step One. The last thing a Ficus tree owner was to think about is pruning. Thank you! Why are the leaves on my ficus tree turning yellow and falling off? I've trimmed ficus trees for years, but I never knew if I was doing it right because. If your plant loses leaves after extensive pruning or transplanting, don't worry. The sissoo tree (Dalbergia sissoo) is similar in appearance to the ficus tree, but they do have greater tolerance to frost.. Like ficus trees, sissoo trees do grow quite large but I no longer recommend them for average size residential landscapes. Gloves made with latex or thin fabrics will not protect your skin from the ficus's sap. The last thing a Ficus tree owner was to think about is pruning. To keep your ficus tree in a bonsai format, you’ll need to prune the branches and leavers that get unruly. I had done some minor, "Excellent guide! Details, and especially photos, helped me know, "This was very helpful. Try not to prune your outdoor tree in early summer, as this can induce an off-season growth spurt and leave your plant more vulnerable to frost. Prune back to 2 leaves after 6-8 leaves have grown. Watch for yellowing and give it a drink of water if it appears. Tools to Prune the Ficus Tree The tools needed to prune a ficus are no different from those of most species of its size. When planted outside, the … A small tree is very young and fragile, so trim lightly. Also, there is no problem composting fig plants. I'd like to prune it back and promote new growth further back inside the tree, but I'm very new to gardening and have zero experience with trees! Prune a ginseng ficus with a concave cutter, which will not show scars as easily as other clippers. "Having visual aids was very helpful. Step 2 8. Read More. Therefore, it’s better to carry out gentle pruning more often, than hard pruning when your plant has outgrown its space. Reach for your hand pruner and follow our advice: You can prune once a year in any particular season. Cut at a slant away from the node or secondary branch. In case your Ficus tree is very damaged and has a lot of dead growth, it is best to prune away no more than one third of the material. When ready to prune leaves, a good rule to follow is to prune back to two leaves after six to eight leaves have grown. What is a Ficus tree? Regular pruning will help maintain its size and can actually improve its branch formation, yielding a more beautifully grown plant. The Mistletoe fig is a type of shrub with spreading nature. This is basic grooming. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Prune your ficus in the spring, summer, or fall. By thinning out overgrown areas, cutting back diseased or damaged branches, and encouraging fuller growth, pruning or trimming can improve the health and appearance of your plant. Shears come in varying … Leaf scars are small, round marks found where your plant originally grew leaves. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. How much does it cost to trim a Ficus Tree? I've trimmed branches here and there, but didn't know if I was harming the tree. The Mistletoe fig (Ficus deltoidea) is classed as a perennial variety of ficus that has thick waxy delta-shaped leaves. artursfoto / Pixabay. Pruning is a necessity and part of what makes a bonsai a bonsai and not just a plant. 3 years ago. The trees do not require a lot of maintenance, but they need to be pruned to keep the tree looking attractive. Ficus trees grow both indoors and outdoors. Sap seeps out from the cut and this can cause stress to the plant. Ficus plants are so easy to grow indoors that occasionally they outgrow their site. ", "Super succinct, clear pictures, and informative.". Once 6-8 leaves have grown on a branch, prune 2. For an environmentally-friendly alternative, ask local recycling centers if they can make use of your ficus clippings. Trim your ficus tree any time of the year, however the best time is during the plant's rest period between growth spurts. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. This allows you to take off even a third of the growth found on the outer canopy of the plant. Cut back to just before a node so new growth will sprout there. Once you have decided which vegetation needs to go, the first step is to remove any dead or broken branches. The slim profile of a tall Rubber Plant tree is a great look for rooms with tall ceilings. Cut them off cleanly at the branch collars. Ficus trees are renowned for “bleeding” when you prune them. This article received 13 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. A potted specimen can grow lanky and even break under its own weight. What do I do if there are yellow spots on my ficus tree's leaves? Pruning a Ficus Tree for Dummies. Hill’s or weeping fig (F. microcarpa hillii): small-leaved tree ideal for hedging or as a “mop top” specimen. They're usually lighter in color than the surrounding branch. Another tip is to remove a branch back to another branch that is one of its size. Trim outdoor ficuses anytime in late summer, fall, or spring. Through the techniques of topping to halt upward growth and trimming to encourage branching from a lower node, the plant can be shaped into a tree-like form or compact bush. When grown indoors, the ficus plant can droop heavy on the ends and lose its signature arching shape. A standard ficus or fig tree (Ficus species) is one that has been grown in a pot and trained to create a classic "ball on a stick" look.Most fig trees make excellent standard plant subjects because they are hardy, suffer being pot bound and tolerate long periods without water.about being bound in a container and can tolerate low water levels. Sanitize any tools you use before and after you prune each plant. Well sharpened pruning shears properly disinfected before and after each use will be more than sufficient for branches less than 1 cm thick, while larger branches may require the use of a hand saw, also properly disinfected. Look for new leafy shoots on the tree as a signal that it is time to prune. This article has been viewed 191,699 times. If you've noticed thinning in summer or early fall, wait until the following season to prune for this reason. Hire a landscaper or nursery professional to replant large ficus trees. To avoid losing too much sap, it is highly advisable to prune it in late winter, just before it resumes growth, or in autumn if we live in an area with a mild climate and / or without frost. You may want to stake it straight, but be careful not to tear the roots. By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://articles.latimes.com/1994-02-26/home/hm-27488_1_pruning-landscape-trees, https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/weeping-fig.html, http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/2004/030604.html, http://www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/ficus-benjamina.html, https://www.plantopedia.com/ficus-benjamina/, http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/2002/083102.html, https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2009/3-11/transplanting.html, https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/25/nyregion/gardening-some-tips-for-maintaining-trees-indoors.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Ficus trees grow both indoors and outdoors. The time to trim the banana leaf tree is during the winter because that is when is growing season is over. Ficus have a latex sap that may be irritating to skin. Anytime from late summer to early spring is ideal, as this is right before and after your ficus's dormant season. If you are cutting a limb to limit the spread of the plant, cut the limb back to a "Y" where another limb is growing … Wear gloves and use a sharp pair of pruning scissors to prune the plant. Is the Madagascar Palm plant poisonous? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Thank you for your help. What does it mean if my ficus tree is dropping seeds? This species of ficus shrub-like tree grows outdoors to a height of around 6.5 ft. (2 m). Thanks!! If temperatures are cool and drafty for too many days, the tree slows its growth and will drop leaves if there is a sudden change in temperature. Timing is also an issue. By winter, the plant has gone into dormancy and is less susceptible to injury. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Prune-a-Ficus-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-a-Ficus-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Prune-a-Ficus-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2141906-v4-728px-Prune-a-Ficus-Tree-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"