Question
QUESTION: Our ficus seems to be dying from the top down and has a large dark stain at the base of the trunk.  I think it was overwatered by a summer caretaker, but that was some time back. Is the stain connected to the leaf drop?  Is there anything we can do to reverse this process?

ANSWER: Hi Ann, the discolor is very likely caused by over watering, it was beginning to rot the base.  Ficus need very little water to survive.  Go back to your way of taking care of it and it should bounce back.  kathy

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QUESTION: Is there anything I can do to dry out the rot on the trunk?  Should I consider repotting or applying something to the base?

Answer
Hi Ann, The stain will have to grow out as the plant gets larger.  Just as if you cut a piece out of a leave, it will not grow back, a new one will re-grow.  It may peal off as it heals as a wound in a tree will self heal.  There a many kinds of ficus,  outside here in FL they could grow into huge trees, but in a pot could stay little.  If you move it into a new pot you will have to watch even closer as to not give it too much water.  A pot dries from the outside in so the rim would be what you would be watering most of the time as it grows into its pot.  I hope you can imagine what I am saying to you.  kathy