Pruning My Tiger Bark Ficus, The Bonsai Zone, Dec 2021

[@vishallagoo]

I cant ignore elephant sitting on a rock, raising hands up, and waving trunk up in the air. 🤩😍❤️

[@willowbei]

The elephant is clearly visible. Adds even more character to the tree. I am glad you were able to save the elephant.

[@marysoldeeley2218]

It looks like an elephant from both sides now. Cutting that branch gave it another ear and it looks like it has a tusk on that side :) Very cool!

[@chrisrose323]

I cannot unsee the elephant now.

[@craft-o-matic2377]

I really like this new look Nigel! I see the elephant too. I think this is a very special little tree! Lisa

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

It really does look like an elephant. Really a great looking trunk.

[@mattbrennan647]

Thanks for that journey through your thought process. I really like your vision and decision. In my opinion the tree’s future is much improved. Thanks, keep growing

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

If you put a dead log by the tree, the elephant would look like it was scratching it's back on it or just trying to rest on the log. Just something different for a short while. Bet that would be good for April Fools day. Sketching idea on your pad looks like a great plan. Great to plan ahead and put in your mind what you want your tree to look like. Great tutorial. Really great!!!

[@littlefangel9243]

Great work Nigel. You made a good decision as usual.

[@MarisaTerres]

Wow, after that cut I can really see the elephant! Lovely work, thank you for sharing.

[@barbkrienke8400]

I’m really enjoying the small interludes at the beginning of your videos now, Nigel. I love that you were able to get a bunny in this one, and love the sunrises with the rooster crowing as well. Very peaceful. I’m still working at a pretty high stress job, and watching these brings my blood pressure down a notch! 🙂

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Barb, nice to hear! Take care!

[@brmbkl]

the music of the intro was great too. ambient vibes, fits really well with the icy weather

[@Derrick8WLee]

All I see is the elephant. Glad it’s still part of the tree. Looking forward to see how it develops.

[@mirandusings]

I, for one would enjoy watching Nigel explore the creativity that can be opened up through the practice of wiring. A ficus would be the ideal material for him to use for his first wiring project. Upvote if you agree.

[@justlucky13]

I remember a little bit of wiring he has done long ago Clip and grow is more natural

[@mirandusings]

@@justlucky13 it’s not either-or. Nigel certainly prefers clip-and-grow and that’s ok. Still, I think it’d be interesting for him (and certainly for us viewers) to watch this seasoned bonsai hobbyist to experiment with wiring, which even if it’s not your preferred style, is an aspect of the hobby and allows for more creative (though admittedly potentially less natural) design. Bonsai is an ART after all, would love to see Nigel PLAY with the design of a ficus one day

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I prefer to grow my trees with just pruning, I like a balance between the natural growth of the tree and my vision of the tree. I have always liked the look of clip and grow trees and this balanced approach fits with my bonsai philosophy.

[@danbehrens1621]

I’ve seen him do some wiring. Not total tree wiring. But usually more of a”guy” wire type of thing.

[@angelocelestino2286]

Love the intro...

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

Oh wow! Big cuts, but the tree looks really nice! The trunk looks like a heffalump 😊

[@jballenger9240]

So glad it was as able to retains it's suggestion of an elephant, mediating on a rock or, from ahold distance, sitting in a row boat. Thank you. 🐘🌿🌿🌿🐘

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Absolutely love the elephant. I'm certain you made the right decision to chop the big top on this tree. Already looks great. Colin @BostonBonsaiIdiot would love the choppin' on this 😁

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Chop it!! Thanks Dave!!

[@OddBonsai]

He he, didn't se the elephant there until you mentioned it. :) It really looks like an elephant sitting down on its behind. I like your design, I hope the tree likes it to and it grows towards that shape.

[@benloehle300]

Seems like the perfect decision for this tree. Thanks for sharing Nigel! Your bold moves always inspire me to take my pruning to another level :)

[@lorenamartinez7834]

Precioso trabajo...impecable...me ha encantado....Muchas gracias!!!💖👍🙋‍♀️

[@kris-chan1440]

the intros to these videos are taking a new meaning to cold opens

[@GrimsleyAllyn21]

Huge change but I think your new plan for the tree is great!

[@alexbecket7140]

Great call on the branch cut! Totally makes the tree.

[@joaopauloa.6918]

I can see the elephant 🐘 , beautiful. João from Portugal

[@peacecosmonaut176]

I like your decision on the tiger bark ficus. I'd probably also cut off the two roots that are crossing in front of the tree towards the left. I have obviously only seen the tree on screen, so I don't know for sure, but to me it seems like it would be an improvement.

[@bradleyc9538]

Great episode Nigel. Pleased you made the decision to prune back it looks great

[@basicallybonsai2532]

I love the big inhale Nigel takes before making that cut lol

[@ajm661023]

I can't unsee the elephant... :-)

[@mindfulmusicing7900]

immediately liked the tree better after you made that big top cut! /cheer

[@RonMaurer]

I love the 🐘… that’s all I see now! The roots over rock almost look like restraints trying to hold the 🐘 down… but it’s fighting to be free!

[@casvanmarcel]

We really appreciate all the work you put up into making these videos. I know it's not easy

[@HelmBiru]

Terimakasih selalu berbagi ilmu dan inspirasi

[@jballenger9240]

So glad your tiger bark ficus could retain some of its elephant character. From a distance, the view from the front, suggests a pachyderm in a boat. Thank you. 🐘🌿🌿🌿🐘

[@jessevdmeer]

I think the tree will surprise us with lots of new possibilities in spring. Great video again Nigel👍🏼

[@chandmathur4133]

Love your video, very informative plus you give some very Important pearls during your videos.I also like the way you visualize the future plant design. Excellent work !!!

[@TropicalBonsai]

Looks good, I like that pot.

[@fredgrech1498]

Hi Nigel I’m glad the elephant still Exist

[@PSPMHaestros]

I think I'll adopt the "sketch" technique, it really gives you a good canvas to imagine the future of the tree, and helps you think of alternative and better designs

[@PapaOsmubal.OscarBalajadia]

You pointed it out and it became clear to me, Nigel, that is an elephant! LOL.

[@otterwench]

I can really see that elephant now!

[@natrjack965]

Looks alot better after that cut Nigel and yes I seen a elephant 🐘 also ...

[@GreenJuice24]

I am curious to see how the tree will develop in the future. And I loved how quick you made the sketch.

[@VonSjovikus]

The tree looks great. It'll be fun to follow the development :)

[@AleksGenD]

Now it looks like an elephant to me as well) and even more after the cutting)

[@WiLheLmPhoeniX]

The elephant is a nice feature

[@koholohan3478]

The tree looks so good after the bug chops! For the cuttings, get a balls of sphagnum moss, wet it, and squish out the excess, stab the cuttings into it, and it works so well!

[@koholohan3478]

Omg! I did some pruning on my tiger bark just today!

[@7puggiescyndycarruthers193]

your ficus now looks like an old ‘elephant’ in a rowboat on a windy day! an intrepid sailor!

[@peterbaldwin5031]

Can’t unsee elephant now...

[@timb.9224]

Wow, you went full Nigel Saunders on that Ficus, Oh wait you are Nigel Saunders LOL Really enjoy your videos, thanks !!!

[@peacecosmonaut176]

Fantastic intro =)

[@njw1383]

I had no idea a Ficus could be hard pruned like that. I don't think I'd have the courage to prune mine that far back. I hope it survives

[@bonsai_life_style]

That uper left branche thickest one culd be good new leader sweeping toward you and with that you culd get next sharp bend.

[@rogoveanudani8086]

Hi Nigel, have you consider cutting thouse 2 front diagonal roots ? Thanks for showing and letting us know your thinking proces

[@Ollieslife101]

Love the channel

[@joannetanner7282]

Idk, I always see the Elephant. Won’t cutting off all the leaves pose a problem? Can’t wait to see it in a year. Your are brave to do a hard pruning.

[@michaelhoward487]

This tree could be the subject of a Kipling "Just So" story: How The Elephant Got His Tree Trunk.

[@waterlover]

It does look like a elephant. But I see it’s back and front right leg reaching for some leafs

[@Dave_0993_I]

7:00 - I decided what I would do to this tree. I'll keep watching to see what you decide. . .

[@jansys]

Hello Nigel, When I see this tree it will always be the elephant, this first impression will always be there. So for me his name is : the elephant

[@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632]

That elephant would look nice with the rest of the tree pruned to look like a balloon or an umbrella. Being blown by the wind of course. Being held by his trunk.

[@patsfreund9164]

Love watching how you style a tree with its future development in mind. Making the drawing reminded me of Ben Oki. He always had a future design in mind for his trees. Do you use rooting hormone with cuttings? I've found it works particularly well with ficus, but then, we rarely have cold winters here in s.e. Florida. Thanks for another good video.

[@katifalcon]

🏡Is there a tiny house in your backyard? I keep getting a glance at it when you show Laura's greenhouse section. You going to fix it up for Julian? 🤣

[@vectispete9415]

Some bonsai artists give trees names, which reflect the nature of the tree. Can I recommend that this be called Indlovu Kopje which is Ndebele for elephant Kopje is Dutch for hill

[@aaryansetia9093]

Hey Nigel! It's been a while since I last commented, been busy with my studies. Hope you and your family are doing well

[@penelope8980]

When you repot the tree, couldn't you tilt the trunk over to the side to emphasize the cascade design?

[@indianphilatelist2851]

Nice

[@danbehrens1621]

Omg, it is an elephant! How did I not notice that?? “The thinking elephant ficus.” She’s sitting on that rock pondering the world. Looking at the stars. Very Timone and Pumba.” Is that my ancestors looking down on me or burning balls of gas millions of miles away?”

[@danbehrens1621]

Now if we could get that trunk arching back above its head turning into one of those flat bottomed African style trees. Either way I know it’s going to look great in another few years. And your a pretty good drawer to.👍

[@andrewbleeker4177]

Another great video as usual. I hope You can help me. I have a tiger bark ficus that I want to work on but scared I will kill it as my wife got it for my birthday. I live in south UK. I keep the tree on the window sill in the bathroom. The branches are long and thin with a few leaves on the end. The branches are about 3 inches long before any leaves. I want to cut them shorter to make the tree more compact. Is there a certain time that it is best to do the cut as I am scared to get die back or loose the branches. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is always best to cut the tree back after it has had a period of strong growth. It needs lots of energy to recover from pruning. It also needs good conditions for recovery, warmth, humidity and good light.

[@andrewbleeker4177]

Many thanks for the information. Much appreciated.

[@WilliamWerevun]

I like the new direction for the tree. The trunk is quite good. I must say that I don't like the roots, especially from the front. They look like thin strings that tie the tree to the rock. They lack the more organic flow that most of your other ficus trees have.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm hoping to sort the roots out eventually!! They are very random at the moment!!

[@mralabbad7]

A tiger AND an elephant? This tree is really influenced by its original home! 🌏

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes!!

[@ayahrama9696]

Saya lihat seperti gajah duduk di atas batu🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@JWstrejc]

Once again another great video! I have a question regarding tiger bark ficus in general. If you completely defoliate the tree and cut back hard are those just Hail Mary cuts or is there a high success rate. I have a broom style tiger bark with a decent trunk and interesting transition to multiple upright leaders, but a few are much too straight with little taper. I wouldn’t mind cutting it all the way back as long as I don’t kill it in the process. Anyways I hope you can respond, and I’d like to thank you for your time and the awesome content you provided us enthusiasts!

[@coreartalex6708]

So this makes it Dumbo Ficus?

[@danbehrens1621]

Haaahahaha! Ears are too small tho.🤣👍

[@coreartalex6708]

@@danbehrens1621 Hehe, ok how about Horton Ficus (for the Dr Seuss elephant)

[@laurakotzbauer4573]

It DOES look like an elephant! Like it’s sitting back and that split in the trunk looks like his front leg.

[@trombadude]

“The elephant” ficus 😂

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Ficus friday soon?? Its 23.10 in norway now. Soon bed time for big Boys.

[@Bearbok]

I really like the decision you made on this tree but I cringe when you trim more after the big cut. Why not leave those back branches on until the next pruning so the tree recovers quicker?

[@Deans_On_toast]

you should sell "big cut comin up" t--shirts

[@cuong_cay_canh]

Tuyệt vời

[@thenaturecreater8906]

I think the back is the new front. The roots are best and the front goes towards you. But you lost the elephant..

[@koholohan3478]

"if you run out of time" That's what we should start saying instead of "she passed away" or "he died" or "they went to be with God."....no....."he ran out of time" lol😆😂

[@aaryansetia9093]

Name it "ELEPHANT FICUS".

[@hyperionhelios190]

frist!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Noice!!