Q&A for How to Prune a Ficus Tree

This is an indication of not enough water. Or, the humidity in the air may be too low.

During the spring and summer, you can water them a modest amount. During the winter months, they only need a little water.

Typically, this is from bad watering. You may be either underwatering or overwatering the ficus.

Trim a bonsai ficus very carefully. Trimming back thin branches will help the larger branches remain healthy.

While it is recommended that you prune vertical branches first, be sure to also prune other parts of the tree in order to maintain a balanced shape.

It needs more water. You should water at least once a week during summer; 1-2 times per month in winter, depending on how warm it is. Watch for yellowing and give it a drink of water if it appears.

Pruning ficus trees can be very cost-effective. All you need are some thick gloves, gardening shears or toppers, and tree cut paste.

Ficus trees are like grumpy old men -- they don't like to be moved. Typically they, like Geraniums, prefer to be pot-bound and will go into shock for a brief time after a re-potting. If there was no damage to roots during the re-potting and soil with a food additive was used, your plant should recover in a week for two.

It depends on the size of the tree. A small tree is very young and fragile, so trim lightly. Older and larger trees can have all the dead wood cleaned off and trimmed back. Remember that pruning the top will shorten the potential height of the tree and that the more leaves you cut off, the less surface it has to photosynthesize. Ficus trees are finicky, so don't over do it.

Yes. Water it well before you move the tree. Make sure the new pot has a drainage hole. You may want to stake it straight, but be careful not to tear the roots.

This depends on the height of the ficus. As a general rule, avoid cutting more than 30% of the tree at a time. If you need to cut back more, prune more next season or transplant your ficus somewhere else.

You don't need to trim back your ficus tree. It's more of a choice. You should trim it when it has dead parts, and you may want to trim it when it grows big or is wonky shaped. If you like it that way, then keep it that way, if you don't, then trim it.