Major Pruning of My FrankenFicus, The Bonsai Zone, Nov 2023

[@kreativ_corals]

This is the epitome of bonsai. SUCH A GOOD EPISODE. Always loved this tree, but now, I love it even more! Such a cool and scary change but I can tell, it will elevate the tree to the next level!

[@NoDecaf7]

Videos like this, trees like this, are what inspired me to even start my bonsai journey.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think this will become an awesome tree, I just hope all goes well!!

[@MF-fc5vk]

Wow, that was brutal ! Good luck nigel😊

[@deineath]

"Major pruning" was an understatement..

[@LAB-yo8dp]

tanto coraggio e ottima visione. I miei complimenti. ❤

[@laughin7654]

Man this was my favorite ficus, and now I’m so excited to see it develop. Feeling a little prune happy now

[@BeatlePhillips]

I found the Bonsai Zone just before the top fusion was done, back in the KW Bonsai days. It’s awesome to have watched the progression of this tree. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@7puggiescyndycarruthers193]

nigel, LOVE your new FrankenFicus of Fangorn!

[@BridgeCityBonsai1]

Boldness begets beauty! Great work Nigel!!

[@birgittej5895]

Wow! What a transformation. I look forward to seeing how the tree responds.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Me too Birgitte, time will tell!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Definitely a WOW episode Nigel! You either kept it as was or went as hard as you did - good choices and even better to watch from the safety of my chair :)

[@patrickfo967]

Bold decisions and cuts made in the BonsaiZone! Great work Nigel. I got my fingers crossed 🤞🏻 because this tree is one of my favorites in your collection! On a ficus Retusa or microcarpa I wouldn’t even be concerned but bejaminas tend to be a little bit more finicky… ! Greetings from Germany 👋🏻

[@santamartarock]

I always enjoy the feeling after a significant cut maybe because it comes with a anticipation of something better will become into the future.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I check the tree everyday, so far all is well!!! Thanks!

[@barbkrienke8400]

Wow, wow, wow, Nigel!!!! That was some brave chopping!!! I can’t wait to see how it all comes in over the next few months!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Barb, so far all is well, I can't wait to see what happens this coming year!!!

[@davida6110]

The change is great, Nigel. Hope the big cuts pay off. It's so interesting to see from any angle.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks David, I have a good feeling that it will explode with growth!!! Fingers crossed!

[@RyanFish825]

Wow, Frankenficus got a shave and a haircut today! Nice work Nigel, you've been busy sir.

[@BlueSuedeDude]

Wow, awesome job. That certainly took guts! Look fwd to watching it progress!

[@baldyeti]

Daggum, those chops were awesome, good sir! Looking forward to it’s response! That took some guts, and a dedication to your vision/plan. You’re a true testament to this art, good sir.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Yeti, so far all is looking good on the tree, hopefully the next updates will be positive ones!!!

[@conspiraterry7393]

It's so hard, you did good Nigel, ( I hope lol) can't wait for updates

[@bizmayker]

Nice work Nigel as always!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Many thanks!

[@hassimgora]

Fantastic decisions. I see the potential off this tree becoming exactly how you envisaged to be. Great work Nigel.

[@justlucky13]

Big Cuts looking good and won't be touching the light now!!! Thanks Nigel

[@markkenyon4855]

ive watched you do many "big cuts" but the last cut was a BIG CUT. Brave one

[@lukasmihara]

Very brave cuts! Big changes for the Frankenficus, but I think it'll turn out well in the future! The top part definitely makes a fantastic cutting. I'd surely have taken it!

[@jungjoohyun]

BIC BIC CUT I'm looking forward to it and excited.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

That was one massive top cut. This should come out with some nice bud branches come spring or late winter for your umbrella canopy. Might be good to save one cutting or two to root and give to your club. Now the top looks like a big squid with its tentacles coming down for food. Looks cool! In your care, this tree top will survive into your canopy.

[@palatina6626]

Thank you for this bonsai masterclass. One of your best videos so far.

[@ReyZar666]

this is one of my fav video in your channel, the Frankenstain getting Frankenstained, crazy stuff, you took 3 trees out of there

[@MrCliveado]

Absolutely fantastic cut choices today nigel. Probably one of your top 5 trees

[@theranike]

Amazing work in progress! Such an inspiration!

[@BonsaiPaathshala]

BRUTAL!!! I just hope those cuttings survive..they can be great bonsai as well!!!

[@TerryJent]

Wow! A lot of major decisions! It definitely looks good now.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Terry!

[@johannayu8313]

I love your video more and more❤ You always have the best decisions. I'm very happy when I guessed your decisions correctly 😊 I don't have any bonsai yet.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks so much, I hope you get some trees on the go!!

[@grobonsai]

That’s was intense! Very impressive tree moving into its next design iteration. Looking forward to seeing the trees response!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm still trying to relax after that pruning! So far the tree is doing well, I hope by the end of winter it becomes a bush!!

[@sharkhaywood]

The courage to make such big cuts is impressive. Those cuttings are full size trees.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The cuts were easy, the decisions were the hard part, lol!!

[@williamaitken7533]

Wow, that's WILD. You're very brave for making those cuts. I think you're right that you really set it up for success, though!

[@zimartiste1]

whaoo, great job 👋

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Very very bold cut! Possibly that’s why you are a cut above the rest!😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Time will tell!!! My fingers are crossed!!

[@JacoBurnsPS5]

We can see from your face how hard it was to do all of those cuttings. But…it’s much better after in my opinion. Once again fantastic job 👏🏻

[@dreamingofbonsai]

Incredible cuts. Pruning for the future! I’m anxious to see how this develops in the future!

[@DavesBonsai]

Now those were some big cuts!!!!! I’m guessing it will so worth it in the end!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

We will see Dave, I think it will make the tree awesome in the future!!!

[@houghtonbonsai]

🤣that's a hole tree there, lots of big cuts, great Video Nigel thanks for sharing 😉

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it's make it or break it time!!!

[@houghtonbonsai]

@@TheBonsaiZone it will make it m8 ;)

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Great way to seal the cuts with the sap.That one big cutting, if it can root for you, will make a nice specimen.

[@bannerbruce3666]

Wow 😮!!! That's a very big cut... Ficus plants do well with grafting branches..you could probably check that out if the tree is not responding as you want it to

[@mick681]

Wow Nigel. What a very brave man you are. Most people would have given their right arm to own a tree like it was before you pruned it. I'm sure that it will in time grow new branches exactly where you want them. The thick branches that you removed will if they root as a cutting make almost instant Ficus bonsai. A great, but nail biting, eye watering video.

[@TropicalBonsai]

Wow. what a change!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, some changes for the better, I hope!!!

[@kenmunro1320]

Very brave Nigel

[@jamesn7156]

Now get the tree warm and in your brightest spot! I recently chopped the top half of my oldest ficus I had been developing over the past few years. I didn’t like where it had gotten. It felt like a waste, but at least my trunk got thicker! It feels like a clean slate now to make it something entirely different than I had been imagining.

[@brianl3966]

Think of it as time spent learning how the tree works so you can work with it through the next chapter.

[@mayconbonsai]

Linda árvore, este foi um grande passo. Sucesso 🙏

[@stevenjohann5435]

i know you were dredding that first big cut, but instantly it created an excellent negative space, at least it really worked for me visually......i've been using small weights to create droop in my ficus branches.... i just used different thickness/length twisted copper wires, with bent hook shapes to place over small branches...... with select braches weighted, and gentle bending, it seems to set shape in a couple weeks.....the frankenficus is coming along fantastic.......i always appreciate your hard work, ingenuity, and passion...................much love, many props

[@Santi-us9ec]

Un gran trabajo para lo que se necesita mucho conocimiento. Gracias, maestro.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Merci beaucoup, j'espère que tout se passera bien avec le sapin !!!

[@jussihamalainen6920]

if you dont get new shoots coming out where you want in the trunk, you gotta look into this technique where they drill small hole thru trunk and put a cutting thru all the way to soil. would be nice experiment if nothing else, cheers, great work as always

[@ianrowe9337]

You'r a braver Man than me Gunga Din ! , but it was worth the gamble Nigel ....

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope it does well!!

[@bonsai_life_style]

Dont worry Nigel that will just improve your tree I did same with my Benjamin and now looks much much better .

[@thefrank4765]

Wow!

[@rebeccahunter725]

I suspect you have just redefined the phrase "Big cut coming up". Not sure there could be bigger! Well done, and I think you need a bit of a lie down now to recover. The tree should bounce back quite quickly, I expect!

[@kathyvettraino2267]

It was pretty before too, but it will be amazing to see what happens next! Frankin Ficus is one of my favorites. Now it looks like a lady in a flowing gown with her arms outstretched. I cringed along with you. Change is hard, but nothing ventured is nothing gained! Heal and grow Frankie Ficus! ❤

[@t3dwards13]

Whomever gets those cuttings can say they're from a famous ficus! My ficus cuttings are sentimental, in that my mom had an office ficus when I was a baby...planted it in the ground while I was in high-school, and now it's huge.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Nice!!

[@olgahutouskaya4322]

Hi, Nigel. You are brave an adventures today haha Actually right side looks really nice, may be you could rotate front a little bit. Like exactly the direction of top branch. It could also hide some lines flaws you mentioned :)

[@bonsaitis566]

Nice video. With ficus there's an alternative to cutting thick branches (and even trunks) that can't be wired: saw some parts allowing to give it a good movement. Within one year or less, the scars will be healed and the branch will be on it's position. You can also graft a lower branch on the basis, etc. I love ficus because they are like a Meccano 😂😂 Next spring, I will be working with few

[@MultiZNB]

❤❤❤

[@bonsaimonsai]

very brave cut, indeed, but one of the best decisions ever :P i think the upper branches will help to continue sap flow

[@yann548]

A genuine but also slightly mischievous question; would you have fused and Frankified the tree if you knew then you would be chopping it down again? I admire your courage and vision. I doubt I would have either on such a developed tree. Great work 👏

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I needed a flowing apex to the tree to replace the dead top! Thanks so much!!!

[@yann548]

That makes sense @@TheBonsaiZone Thanks Nigel 🙏

[@PolinaS-gq1te]

That top cut is a great cutting material. A tree, waiting to root. Don't throw it away!

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

WOW!!! Holy Guacamole!! Big cuts alright! My hair stood up on end like a scared cat!! I don't smoke, but I think I need a cigarette!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Lol Marysol, yes big changes are a foot!!

[@Yurup]

Wont you take of the grow tips on all the branches to promote even more backbudding? Love the big cuts.

[@angieb6899]

OUCH!!! but looking into the future it will grow into a beautiful umbrella canopy. Updates welcome. 👩🏻‍🌾🪴

[@bonsaisforever]

That was hard to watch I have hole trees that are smaller that the two big cuts. I can't wait to see it in spring.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I have high hopes and low patience, lol!!!

[@andresobert5143]

Nigel would be selling cuttings so fast if he was in it for the money. Which, by the way, if you ever need to fund another greenhouse theres an idea... but I Love your content. A man sharing his true passions and dedications. Awesome

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Andre, KZbin keeps the lights on and that's enough for me!!

[@iamit13]

I doubt you can ship those cutting to the US, but if it were possible i would pay you to ship them to me. Those would make some beautiful bonsai themselves.

[@belmiromadeira3523]

Hello mr. Saunders. I saw inthis video a tree without leaves. Is that possible in a ficus. Thank you for all.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it is possible with many species of Ficus, it's these Ficus benjamina trees you have to be more cautious with!

[@flopeter2232]

From this day on He will be known as the mad butcher😂 probably the most radical reduction we ever saw

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I have a good feeling about this one!!!

[@flopeter2232]

It will Turn Out fine. All.chops.for the bettter. And U were lucky that U had Mini branches for the reduction and were Not forced into risky hail Marys on a benjamina❤

[@mayconbonsai]

Nigel poderia mostrar como é, e como funciona sua compostagem? Grato

[@bryanmorrion9503]

Nigel a question. How tall is you frankenficus. Pot to tip 500-800mm. ??

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is currently 381 mm or 15 inches from the top of the lip of the pot to the top of the tree.

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Oh dear, but I think it the right move! But that couldn't been easy for you. 😅

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I think the trunk was looking good, now it needs branches to match!!

[@donnadornbusch6738]

Nigel, love your channel ; however , on KZbin the plastic looked like an ice sculpture ( lol)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It does, lol!!! Thanks Donna!!

[@bryanmorrion9503]

Omg it’s tense

[@TheBonsaiZone]

For me especially, lol!!

[@jenskarlsson4744]

Does a Ficus in the forest have the same broom style as a city Ficus ?Hardcore Trim 👍🤙🤟

[@Gaara-zu3ev]

I really liked your tree before the cuts - the style suited it. I am sure it is going to be nice again but not the same. I wonder if it might have just lost a lot of its individual character

[@igorcostadasilvaleite1572]

You mande a good decision, the lower brunch in the top, is looking in the direction of the sashe-eda as the japense law demands, the Second laft brunch will be the visual weight.. ALL there on the right positions, great potential on these tree. I would Just cut off the rest of the stump you laft, and use the lower one as a new top.

[@HansWeberHimself]

Frankenstein goes puberty. Who knew.

[@robbiepizzimenti2177]

Nigel woke up this morning and chose war!

[@luxizimmi6425]

you could have air layered the top to get thickness and you would have a "franken-franken-ficus".

[@andrewspar436]

Your ficus will be going to explode with new sprouts, I suppose. It will be interesting to see, how you decide to deal with those. 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That would be the best outcome, lots of branches to choose from!!!

[@nickkellogg4155]

tropical pruning when entering winter and is rather bold choice.. its a massive weaking to its system in a time of year when the tree is dormant.. id bring that into an interior green house with high humidity and warmth asap..

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's getting good aftercare, lots of misting, a light right above it and a nice warm humid room!! I can't wait to see what happens!!

[@teresagalbreath7452]

Poor Frankie 😪 Sometimes you have to make tough decisions for their future. 🤕

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, a bit of a re-set for the tree!!

[@snylilith]

Oooh, this episode was kinda hard for me, mostly because I looked at the pictures at the begining of the video and I was like, oh, ok, so the top parts need to go and the tree will be the perfect umbrella! ...well, I guess it comes from my poor understanding of how the tree would actually develop, because after the initiall shock I DO understand why you decided to go that far. But boi was that hard to watch...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was a move, I've been pondering on for quite some time, I either had to grow the tree into a giant or prune it back and grow it wide!

[@growingthings6232]

Make cuttings!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

On it!

[@nathalierouhier4726]

J adore vous voir tailler et couper... ca me faitrire car j adorerais pouvoir avoir un arbre suffisamment mâture pour le faire

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Merci beaucoup, j'aime quand un arbre pousse suffisamment pour que je puisse lui faire quelques travaux d'élagage !!!

[@dk2614]

First?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Foist!

[@MRLAW243]

You chose poorly I believe 23:49 ts.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think it will be an awesome tree once it begins to grow it's new branches!!

[@rosshopkins2063]

Everything you do i would do the opposite. Absolutly offensive work.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Ha ha, you are very funny!

[@bryanmorrion9503]

SO how long was this decision in the making. But with you doing that i now can do a similar thing on a branch that was robust but to vertical that has bugged me fir a year or so. Your courage gave me courage as well. 👍🦘🦘🇦🇺😎

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I've been thinking of doing this for about 2 years and finally I made the move!! The two large cuttings are in water, I'm hoping to root them! Thanks!!

[@michaelmason4206]

WOW!