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KK4DFU

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Its about time for me to move to the larger and final home for some of my fig trees. I have settled on 22.5” diameter x 19” high pots (fleet farms item# 93985).  Selected on a combination of aesthetics (the wife) and Bill Muzychkos post.  

I plan to set them up exactly as in: http://figs4fun.com/bills_figs.html

My main question is should I selectivly remove perennial liginified roots, instead of just the exterior of the rootball? My bonsai experience tells me this is a common strategy and can be better for the health of the tree. Is this necessary for Fig trees?
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Frank Montgomery County, MD Zone 6b Wish List: Sicilian Black,Nero 600M, Fico Genovese, Nordland, Any other interesting Mt. Etna varieties 
BronxFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Frank-

Yes on both assumptions.  Do the root-pruning work just as buds show some green, but before fig trees start breaking buds.  A root-hook, and, tree saw will help.

Frank
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COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
What about heavily pruned in ground trees?  Like the Japanese step over or other espalier style pruning.  Do these trees require or benefit from root trimming?
rafaelissimmo

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
I have a question for Frank (Chevy Case Frank):

What are perennial lignified roots? How can I tell them apart when you have a compacted mass of roots in a container situation? Thanks

Rafael
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KK4DFU

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
These are the large woody roots, thay start to encircle the container and form tough “J” shapes. They start to serve mainly for anchoring the tree but diminish in abilty to absorb water/nutrients. They crowd out the feeder roots. You will need to carefully open up the rootball with a small hook of some sort with a outward raking motion. 

You mainly want feeder roots which are the smaller soft delicate fiberous roots. These function for nutrient absorption.
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Frank Montgomery County, MD Zone 6b Wish List: Sicilian Black,Nero 600M, Fico Genovese, Nordland, Any other interesting Mt. Etna varieties 
rafaelissimmo

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Thank you Frank will keep an eye out, I will be getting a bonsai hook at Bronx Frank's suggestion. Thank you

Rafael
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james

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
If you are completely bare-rooting the tree, selective pruning is much easier. Also, depending on the variety, age of tree, size of container, life of the growing mix, etc. can be pushed to every 2-4 years. Even when other root-pruning methods are employed, I would recommend a periodic bare-rooting of trees. For smaller trees (less than five gallons), I prefer using chopsticks to remove the growing mix and scissors or small bypass pruners to cut the roots.

Trees planted in ground do not need root-pruning since the roots have "unlimited" space to expand. There is room for both the anchoring roots and the feeder roots. This is not usually the case in containers.
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In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b)
In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
newnandawg

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
How does this process play out when using a sawzall as some
members do?
COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Quote:
Originally Posted by james
Trees planted in ground do not need root-pruning since the roots have "unlimited" space to expand. There is room for both the anchoring roots and the feeder roots. This is not usually the case in containers.


Thank you, there are many whom say that they do.  Does this include heavily pruned trees?
KK4DFU

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
I root prune heavily branch pruned in ground trees that I am training for bonsai. I am not sure if its for root “training” for the bonsai style (im guessing it is) or the health of the tree. 

newnandawg- I think saws and shovels are a common method. I was just curious if others have found selective root pruning to be worth the effort. 
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Frank Montgomery County, MD Zone 6b Wish List: Sicilian Black,Nero 600M, Fico Genovese, Nordland, Any other interesting Mt. Etna varieties 
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