Lopping large fig species specimens

Jo-Anne

Hi everybody,
I'm new to this forum and hope you can help. Its probably a boring old question, but we are lucky enough to have two very large old figs on our property (mid north coast NSW Australia) and I would reluctantly like to lop one of them. From my limited net research I think we have one Moreton Bay and one Port Jackson and the one I want to lop is the Port Jackson. I want to know how best to lop (preferably without having to call in an arborist - fully appreciate their knowledge and skill, but limited money!). I'm thinking of undercutting to prevent splitting the branches and wonder if there is a product I should paint onto the cut surfaces to protect the tree from infection/disease following lopping? I would be very upset to lose it, as it is such a beautiful, irreplaceable tree.The branches I speak of are about 20-30cm diameter. The tree is (stepped out) 29 metres diameter.
Thanks,
Jo-Anne.

Eric Frei

Why lop it? Pictures please, both trees, distance shot, closer up and foliage.

Also search the forum for the following terms.

AS4373

Topping

Lopping

Hatracking

Malpractice pruning

Wound dressing

Pruning paint

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Jo-Anne

Having trouble keeping the area maintained, because some branches are very low and the foliage and a couple of branches have reached the ground! Managed to mulch under the Morton Bay (free council mulch, but they stopped it!), but can't afford to buy mulch for this one.
How do I insert images from my PC?

Eric Frei

How to post| add a picture or file| embed picture

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