Looks more like a bush than a tree now, thanks to all those branches that are surplus to requirement. Just as well I layered it.
Covers removed & up close with those florid root balls. They'll have to support 3 yrs growth if these layers are gonna be viable. Not the largest layers I've ever done, but still a decent size.
When those roots are breaking out of their container, you know they're ready to set out on their own.
Container removed here, and the root ball mass collecting at the bottom of the container also confirms these layers are ready to strike out. In fact, separation might even have been possible weeks earlier. Never mind - better safe than sorry.
An overview of this particular layer.
That's better. Looks more like a tree now that all those layers have been removed, and that will also make grounding a lot easier. Just need to dig a hole big enough to receive it. And hopefully ripe figs next season.
I'm hoping that the reduced demands made on the main root ball means that I now have a better chance of achieving that. One of the layers is already with its new owner, and the other 4 already spoken for. Bearing in mind this was just a 10" cutting only 4 yrs ago, I think it's done surprisingly well.
Not bad for a tree that almost bit the dust this year.