Ficus Retusa root issue

[mat]

As you can see in the pictures, I have a Ficus retusa with a root circling its base. It has obviously been there for a while since the trunk is growing around it.

Any suggestions on what I should do with it? bury it and let the tree just continue to grow over? scrape the outer layer off and bury it, hoping it will merge with the trunk? carve it out completely because it won't ever really become part of the trunk since it's now growing horizontally?

I put it in its first bonsai pot this Spring after some major root work. As Ficus tend to do, it recovered well and has been growing strongly all summer. I may wait until next Spring to go at it again. Just trying to come up with a game plan for now.

Thanks for looking.

 

[thams]

I'd think it would fuse after a number of years and add interest to the trunk. Digging it out would leave a really nasty scar that could potentially rot out the base of the trunk. My vote is to leave it be.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I too would just let it be. I'm sure with some strong growth up top the transition from trunk to root will smooth out and it'll all fuse together.

 

[mat]

Thanks for the responses guys. I guess I'm just worried that it will continue to cut in or choke off growth if left alone. It is in the back, so that makes it easier to leave it.

The top is growing well. (sorry for the blurry picture) I've just been letting it go since the repot & hard-pruning. Also it's been a busy summer for me so a lot of my trees are probably overdue a trim. I'll start to work on branches next year.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

If push comes to shove you could always drill some small holes in the trunk above the root and just create a whole new root system. Living in Florida I'm sure you understand how bulletproof these guys are

 

[nathanbs]

ground layer it!

 

[mat]

ground layer it!

I should have had that as an option in my first post...

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Ooh ouch. I don't like that root at all. Maybe you could remove it and try to grow some aerials from that line. Dust in some rooting hormone and wrap it. I would try to remove it somehow. Your lucky to live in florida.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Ooh ouch. I don't like that root at all. Maybe you could remove it and try to grow some aerials from that line. Dust in some rooting hormone and wrap it. I would try to remove it somehow. Your lucky to live in florida.

I wouldn't even consider removing it. If he were to remove it, it would just leave a deep cut scar. The root is so far into the trunk that removing it would cause more harm than good.

 

[A Random User]

I would agree with those saying leave it...

Right now the root is actually scaring trunk, like
wire that has been left on to long, this is actually
forcing the tree to grow over the top of it, as evident
in the pics, so this process has already begun and
eventually it will completely cover it and it will
disappear.

With ficus, it will have no effect on the tree's health,
so, only a cosmetic issue...

If one removes it... there is no longer anything in
that location forcing the tree's energy to go there.
So, no guarantee how, or if it will fill in...

I personally would take an ugly root any day over
an ugly straight scar across the trunk.

 

[nathanbs]

Am i missing something? Why not ground layer it? It solves all problems and its ridiculously easy on a ficus. Do the rest if you guys not think its a viable solution? Just curious

 

[amcoffeegirl]

If it's not going to be removed then at least
add/grow some more roots over it. Ground layering is a great option.

 

[thams]

Am i missing something? Why not ground layer it? It solves all problems and its ridiculously easy on a ficus. Do the rest if you guys not think its a viable solution? Just curious

It's very viable and would be a good solution as well.

 

[mat]

I'm definitely leaning towards ground layering. Won't happen over the next few weekends though, so it may have to wait for next year.

Thanks everyone for weighing in. I'll post pics of the next step whenever I get to it.

 

[edprocoat]

Hey Mat how did you make out with the ground layer on this one?

ed

 

[mat]

Actually, I haven't layered it. I took it to a study group at Adam's in August. Reggie Purdue was the guest for that one. I intended to ground layer it there. Reggie wasn't really into that idea. He dug out the root that was wrapped around and suggested I pot it deeper with some sphagnum moss around the base. Then he helped me style it, which basically involved removing several branches.

Here's a photo of it this morning. I know I need to wire those branches down. Just been lazy about that, I guess.

Thanks for asking, Ed.

 

[carp]

Actually, I haven't layered it. I took it to a study group at Adam's in August. Reggie Purdue was the guest for that one. I intended to ground layer it there. Reggie wasn't really into that idea. He dug out the root that was wrapped around and suggested I pot it deeper with some sphagnum moss around the base. Then he helped me style it, which basically involved removing several branches.

Here's a photo of it this morning. I know I need to wire those branches down. Just been lazy about that, I guess.

Thanks for asking, Ed.

this is unrelated, but before i had started bonsai, Reggie was my stepdad's chiropracter. he used to display his trees in his office, and i think that probably was my first exposure to bonsai in person. Reggie is part of my club. i know i have you on FB, but what club do u belong to in FL? are u a member of Central Florida with Adam? just curious. i'm at BSOB.

 

[mat]

I haven't joined any club at this point. I know that I should but just haven't gotten around to it. When I finally get motivated, it'll be the Central Florida club.

Reggie was great. Easily my favorite guest artist Adam has had at the study group (or at least the ones that I've attended).