Pruning a Fig Tree: 3 Tips

Fig trees will blossom and produce fruit without heavy pruning. Pruning the fig tree is not difficult, once you understand the different parts of the tree.

1. When To Prune

The next year's crop depends solely on the previous year's wood. A fig tree should be pruned immediately after the main crop is harvested. You can also choose to prune half of the branches one summer and the remainder the following summer. This helps ensure that you get a crop every year.

2. Where to Prune

During the first years a fig tree should be heavily pruned to shape the tree. Cut all but about four of the best branches from the stem. Leave the strongest ones, but be sure to stagger them around the trunk. Once you've established this pattern the only pruning you'll need to do is thinning out branches and the previous year's deadwood.

3. Shape Your Tree

Figs can be trained and pruned to grow in a few shapes, such as a fan. Attach wire horizontally against a building, trellis or fence at 15-inch intervals. Plant the tree under the wire and let it grow. As new branches emerge, loosely tie them to the wire with plant ties in the shape of a fan, spacing the branches so they are 12 to 15 inches apart. Tie all the shoots to the wire during the first summer so the tree can become well established. In the fall when the leaves fall off, remove any weak and crowded shoots. Each summer, continue to cut back the overgrown portions and prune the branches that point the wrong direction.

If you cut back too much you will not have fruit that year or maybe even the next. Take your time and don't over prune.