1. Ficus microcarpa var. hillii (Ficus Hillii)
Ficus Hillii is the most widely planted evergreen hedge tree in Australia. Fast, dense, glossy, and forgiving. It also has the most vigorous root system of any tree we sell, so siting matters.
- Type
- Evergreen hedge tree
- Height
- 8 to 30m, can be pruned to desired height
- Width
- Indefinite, pruned to fit
- Growth rate
- Very fast
- Foliage
- Large glossy dark green, evergreen
- Flowers
- Insignificant
- Form
- Dense, upright, columnar when clipped
- Conditions
- Full sun to part shade, most soils, drought tolerant once established
- Maintenance
- Light clipping two to three times a year for hedges.
- Best for
- Boundary screening, large hedges, fast privacy.
Why choose it
Ficus Hillii does the job faster than any other evergreen hedge in Australia. The root system is the trade-off, plant at least 4m clear of drains, pools, and structures.
Perfect pair
Pair with a Crepe Myrtle 'Natchez' or Magnolia 'Black Tulip' as a deciduous flowering feature against the dense evergreen wall.
Tips for planting
Space 1 to 1.5m apart for a clipped hedge. Keep well clear of drains and foundations.
The fastest, densest evergreen hedge in Australia.
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Previous tenants planted a ficus (5’from foundation) tree is 20-25’ tall now. I need to get rid of the roots before they cause damage. I’ve been trimming it back, and slowly taking the branches down. How can I fix the roots. I need to do this as economically as possible.
hello i have a question about the ficus hilii. im hesitating if i should repot them into bigger pot or plant them in the ground along my fence. i heard it has invasive root. i wana ask if i keep pruning it to my desired size, probably around 2 meter tall, would that keep the root small and non-invasaive/damaging permanently? where im thinking to plant in the ground theres about 1.6 meters between the fence and the house, and about 1 meter width footpath, so the ground width is about 600 mm. Thank you!
Ros Hannell in Brisbane, if you still have your big ficus in the broken pot, I have a suggestion for you.
Ficus are pretty hardy. They respond well to branch pruning and root pruning, and in fact are often treated as Bonsai. So if it might have to be taken out anyway, perhaps try the following.
So I suggest you give it a good watering, including a dose of a tonic such as Seasol (read it’s label first).
Then trim back the branches to whatever size is manageable for you to move it or replant it.
Next dig it out of the soil, pruning back any broken roots to a clean cut, leaving soil attached to the fibrous roots if possible, and keeping in mind the next point I make.
Have an educated guess comparing the weight of the branches above ground with the weight of the roots below ground, and try to trim back the branches to about the same weight as the roots, or maybe 1.5 times. You probably won’t have vary many leaves left, but that’s good, because your trimmed roots won’t be able to provide much water for too many leaves.
Plant the tree into a hole the depth of the roots and twice their width. If f possible add some well rotted old compost or good potting mix to the soil. If planting into a pot, use a large plastic pot. (Note: It’s best not to plant directly into a non plastic pot, as these are easily broken by root growth and dry out easily. If you want a nicer pot, get one big enough to hide your plant still in its plastic pot.)
Water well with seasol over the next few months and you should see new shoots appearing from the old branches.
Good luck, and please post your results on this forum. Cheers, David.
I have an ornamental ficus tree which has been with us over 40 years. It has been kept trimmed however its large pot has broken and its leaning at 45degrees with roots establishing into the ground , I suspect. There is a large lesser brick wall beside the pot. I called Brisbane City Council and asked if I could donate it to them as it will need machinery to move it. They only use nurseries with native plants so can’t accept it.
If it can be propped up and kept trimmed would the roots damage the wall?
Would you have any suggestions as to a landscape gardener or developer who may be able to remove it and use it please.
We are in a Northern Brisbane suburb of Everton Park and there is very easy access to the potted tree.
I would appreciate any ideas or assistance you may be able to give me. Thank you very much.
I absolutely love ficus trees and their versatility in creating beautiful hedges and privacy screens. Your comprehensive guide on caring for ficus trees is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to add these stunning plants to their garden. I’ve personally seen the benefits of professional tree care services like Grapevine Tree Removal in maintaining the health and appearance of ficus trees, especially when it comes to tree trimming for pest control and structural integrity. It’s great to see such detailed information on different ficus varieties, care tips, and propagation methods. I’ll definitely be referring back to this post as a valuable resource for my own gardening endeavours. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!