Thank you for your question!

Based on the photos, your office giant appears to be either an umbrella tree or a closely related Australian umbrella tree. It looks like a very mature, well-established specimen. These plants are commonly sold with multiple stems planted together (and sometimes braided) to create a fuller appearance, so my guess is that your plant began life that way.

I wasn't able to find a University of Minnesota Extension publication on this particular houseplant. However, the University of Illinois Extension has very basic care guides:

- Umbrella tree: https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/umbrella-tree

- Australian umbrella tree: https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/australian-umbrella-tree

From your third photo, the plant appears to be healthy and thriving. I would continue with its current care routine. Umbrella trees prefer to be watered thoroughly and then allowed to dry moderately between waterings, rather than being kept constantly moist.

Regarding separating the two trunks, I would be cautious. Given the apparent age and size of the plant, the root systems are likely to be heavily intertwined. Attempting to separate them could damage the roots and place one or both stems under significant stress. Unless there is a compelling reason to divide the plant, I would recommend leaving the trunks together.

If your goal is to create another plant, propagation is a much safer option than trying to separate the two trunks. Umbrella trees are relatively easy to propagate from healthy stem cuttings rooted in water or potting mix, although it may take 4-8 weeks for roots to develop. Another option for a large, mature plant like yours is air layering, which encourages roots to form on a stem before it is removed from the parent plant and generally has a higher success rate for older specimens. Here's a University of Illinois webpage about air layering: https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/air-layering

I hope this information is helpful!

-Victoria

University of Minnesota Master Gardener Volunteer