Sick Ficus Benjamina?
Question:I have had my ficus benjamina (variegated leaves) for 3 years... since it was about a foot tall. Now it is about 7 feet tall. It has weathered two previous winters outdoors just fine but this past winter it didnt fare too well. There are two main upright limbs that are bare but new leaves can be seen popping out on all other branches.
Should we top the tree? Cut off the bare branches? Aesthetically speaking, its not nearly as pretty as it used to be but we still love it and want to "fix" it.
Answers:
Ficus trees are REALLY sensitive to changes in sunlight; unless it's putting out a lot of leaves, you might as well toss it. If you think it has enough leaves to sustain it, let it put those out; don't "top" it at all, as this does nothing but take away viable leaves that it badly needs right now. It should definitely be brought inside during the winter, even if you are in an area that doesn't often get cold. It's a tropical tree, and freezing temperatures are pretty well a death sentence.
Ficus trees will not tolerate freezing temperatures or frost. They should be brought indoors in winter and kept in a sunny spot.
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