I root pruned 2 pots today 1st is unknown from Bolonia Italy i rooted from stick still testing tree.
Second is my oldest and also unknown, i really chopped it last fall sending out cuttings so this year it recuberates.
I used upm soil this time around and each bag was 3cubic feet. All the old soil was put into garden. It was a lot of work along with the cleanup afterwards. I have 2 more . I tell you i have only 12 to 14 but 5 big pots as the others are small for now and look forward to one day i dont have to do this as when we move to warmer area they will all go in ground. Last picture is one of the 4 new pots i bought on the left i like these better as the top rim is not as big and easier for me to wheel around, the one on right is the older pot and has thinner walls. Out of 12 to 14 fig plants 2 are unknown and now no more as theres no room left to store in winter, just im lucky to have these. Maybe i do the other ones tomoorow maybe not my back is kinda sore now, but the old sheets are off 3 now as weather is getting warmer so they need to wake up little by little, i will take the other sheets off as i do them.
Enjoy
Martin

bottom of plant that also will get cut

done, i failed to show bottom though.

next tree the oldest

after taken picture i cut into this one even more and started to tire.

this picture shows new pot on left and older pot on right

Martin,
 
If you want me to catch you one of these I will do that and send it to Ya, I already have your address!
 
This little guy can root prune all your fig trees in nothing flat!

Cecil,
great idea!!!
But please tell me how them varments taste  in a stew, i figure if i fatten him up he's gonna get eaten.

Martin, your trees have some super healthy roots, and your pictures are terrific.  Very informative.

Xgrndpounder, is that a mole?  I've never seen one one those creatures before.

My first guess is that lil' critter is a good old fashioned fig root loving pocket gopher.

Back in high school sooooooooo many years ago it seems (im 31) my dad had me set many traps to catch them. I still have anxiety attacks from the fear that one will bite me when i stuck my hand in the hole. They are mean and they bite! Ask one of my green cats when she went to sniff it!

Jose,
get a scatter gun stick in hole like ELMER FUDD used to do with Donald Duck turn head sideways and squeeze trigger, give cat a break!
 ; )

Hi citrusnut,
 
Loslunasfarms has nailed it (pocket gopher)
 
Jose, I have attached a small doggie chain to my trap and then I anchor it so the ratty little thing don't run farther into the tunnel with my traps (2)
and I know your right on the darn thing being ill tempered when you pull it out of the tunnel, the thing will sure try to get to ya with them ugly darn teeth!   I always hit them with my spade, then it is safe to unhook them from the trap!   Word of caution, if you fire your spade at him, make darn sure his butt is aimed AWAY from ya, because he could fire a shot back at ya (been there, done that)

Ciao Martin,  BUGS BUNNY!!!!!!!!  :)  He always wanted to get himself dat wabbit!!!   One of my favorites.  still watch them.

Duck season! No, Wabbit season.

OK Martin, you inspired me (again). I potted-up and root pruned one of my trees this morning. I cut about 20% of the root ball off at the bottom and cut 3 wedges out of the sides. I loosened some of the rest of the root ball but did not bare-root. Next year I may get more aggressive. The soil I used in the new pot is the augmented Al's mix (equal parts sphagnum peat moss, perlite, shultz aquatic soil and pine bark mulch) which should make it easier due to less compaction at next root pruning.

Looking Good Martin and Steve.

Jazz ,

that would be SteveMartin 
                                
                                ; )

No offense intended Steve to your name.

That was good Martin, I never though about that! I'm thick-skinned and it takes alot for me to take offense (remember I'm originally from NYC and we're as hardy as our figs).