Adam,
The thick trunks happen only on much older trees that have been allowed to
grow large to thicken and then are cut back to a smaller branch for a new
apex. Over many years and reductions the trunk is very fat and there is lots
of taper.
You can fuse lots of smaller fig trees together to form a larger trunk and
the ones in the middle just fuse into the whole trunk. They do this happily
and they don't get squeezed to death.
Hope this helps.
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.8m.com/
But anyway recently ive been cruisin the net lookin at bonsai pictures
and I have noticed some bonsai trees have very thick trunks! ANd I was
wondering how you achive this. I was thinking about one picture
specificaly, cant think of where it was of a ficus, and it almost
looked like several trees with their trunks all "braided" as i can
best describe it together. Of course it didnt have the uniformity of
say a hair braid they were just twisted tightly together to fourm one
large trunk, and a very thick canopy. But I was thinking then more, as
those trunks thicken with age woudlnt that cause bad problems? like
the ones in the middle would get squeezed to death? SO then is the
only way to achive a very thick trunk just to let it thicken with age?
;( that takes to long. But I guess this is kinda a hobby that takes
time eh?

Sorry fo sucha long question! lol
Adam

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++