Hello Krys,

I believe there dormant buds. If you were to trim the branch down to one, I believe it would sprout a new leaf.

James

Hey James,

Ficus' produce figs that are sort of an inverted flower that when pollenated developes into a fleshy fruit. Each ficus has it's own particular type of wasp that pollenates them. Without the wasp the inverted flower doesn't get pollenated and is not able to produce the hormones nessesary to continue growth, so it drys up and falls off. I suspect that is what the picture is of.

Most ficus' that I am familiar with grow from vegataive buds that are pointed and begin to grow and unfurl as they appear. I am unfamiliar with any figs that produce dormant or latent buds. Not that they may not exist, But if they do I am unaware.

I would not cut back these branches because it would be a fruitless adventure.

I crack myself up! -G

Mr.G,
Anybody who enjoys puns can't be all bad:-)

James,
I think Mr G is right about the buds vs fruit. My tree has started sprouting new leaves and they are quite pointy.

Thank you both for your replies.
Krys