The primary botanical difference between a bush and a tree form Ficus lyrata lies in its apical dominance and the resulting structural integrity. A tree form has a single, dominant central trunk, a characteristic achieved through selective pruning and training to encourage strong vertical growth. This singular trunk must bear the entire weight of the canopy. Therefore, staking is almost always necessary, especially as the plant grows taller. The stake provides crucial support against its own top-heavy weight and prevents the trunk from buckling, mimicking the support a tree would receive from a dense root system and surrounding forest in its natural habitat.
In contrast, the bush form exhibits a shrubbier growth habit with multiple stems originating from the base or lower on the main stem. This decentralized growth pattern creates a more balanced distribution of weight and foliage. The plant supports itself through a wider base, making it inherently more stable. Consequently, a bush form rarely requires staking, as its multi-stemmed structure provides natural support and resilience against leaning.
The objectives of pruning are fundamentally different for each form, directly influencing the plant's energy allocation. For a tree form, the goal is to maintain and emphasize the single trunk. Pruning focuses on removing any low-growing side shoots or suckers that may compete with the central leader, thereby directing the plant's energy (auxins) upward to promote height and a clean trunk line. To encourage a bushy, dense canopy at the top, one must perform "notching" (making a small cut above a node) or pinch off the newest top leaves after a few have emerged. This breaks apical dominance and stimulates lateral branching at the desired height.
Pruning a bush form aims to maintain a balanced, rounded shape and encourage fullness throughout the plant. This involves selectively pruning stems back to a leaf node to promote branching lower down on each stem. The goal is not to maintain a single leader but to manage a community of stems, ensuring they receive even light and do not become leggy. Energy is distributed more evenly among multiple growing points, resulting in the characteristic full-bodied appearance from the soil line upward.
Due to their distinct architectures, the two forms interact with light differently. The tree form, with its elevated canopy, positions its foliage high on a single stem. This requires very bright, direct light to be most effective at the top of the plant where the leaves are concentrated. Lower leaves on the trunk often receive less light and may be shed naturally (a process known as abscission) as the plant dedicates resources to the upper, sun-exposed growth.
The bush form, with its leaves distributed across multiple stems from top to bottom, has a broader surface area for capturing light. It can often tolerate a slightly wider range of light conditions because its foliage is not solely dependent on one high point. However, to maintain even growth and prevent the inner stems from being shaded out, periodic rotation is crucial to ensure all sides of the bushy plant receive adequate light exposure and avoid becoming lopsided.
