I'm looking for some advice on my Fiddle Leaf Fig. Worried about root rot, I really under-watered the plant and lost about 20 leaves. They turned yellow, then brown, and then dropped off. They mostly dropped from the bottom of the tree, and from one side. I've adjusted the watering and now the tree seems to be doing well and sprouting lots of new leaves on the top. I included a picture of the back of the tree, showing the branches, and all of the spots where the leaves dropped.

My questions are:

1. Is there a way to get leaves to grow again lower on the branches that look so sparse?

2. From looking at the roots coiled around the top of the pot, is it time to repot? It is 5.5 feet tall and in a 12'' pot. If it is time to repot, should any pruning be done to the top branches?

Any advice is appreciated, and thank you.

Leah