Question
This is going to sound odd, most likely, but i have had my ficus tree for 30 years and I would like to trim it back, then transport it down to southern Florida and transplant it in the wild and let it go. I know no one will love it like I did all these years, so that is my plan. Any suggestions on who would let me do that? Also, my ficus tree has a ball of what could be figs where the trunk and the branches all meet. is that what that is?

Answer
L.J.

Whether or not you can trim it back to small enough to get in a car, van or suv to take it to Florida without damaging it depends on how large it is now. If you tell me the size and send some pictures to my email, [email protected] , I will advise you on whether that is even possible. It would need to go south of a line from Sarasota to Port St Lucie to survive reliably. It would need to go into a park or wild area. I suggest you contact the Chamber of Commerces in that area and tell them what you would like to do and find out if they would be helpful.

The ball on your ficus tree is a gall. It is caused by a fungus or bacteria that has attacked the tree. If you can cut it off of the tree that is what you should do. If not the tree can survive for many years with it. Here is a website with more info about ficus galls. http://www.plant-care.com/ficus-tree-they-have-gall.html    If you cut it off sterilize your tools afterwards with bleach or alcohol so you don't spread the fungi or bacteria. Good luck in setting your tree free. Good luck.

Darlene