Fig pruning 101

[LouisianaMojo]

We covered a little bit about pinching to make your trees stop growing wood and produce more figs. Today we're going to cover pruning and how it is very vital and necessary to do and will also help your trees be more productive in producing figs.

Pruning your fig trees is very vital and necessary to help air movement to prevent mildew, fungus and airborne bacteria and the fight for diseases. Pruning we'll also increase fruit yields by promoting new Branch growth and allow you to give away more free cuttings in the fall a big plus for members here.

The best time to do your pruning is before your trees break dormancy you will notice that the buds will start to increase and swelling in size. If you do it during dormancy you run the risk of having what we called dieback on your branches not good on young and unstablished trees. You can also shape and prune your trees during the growing season.

In the photos that I will be posting I want you to notice where the cut is on the branch and notice all the new growth below it a lot of these new branches that are growing already 3/8 in diameter and 12 inches long these will have a lot of figs growing on them this Summer.

We prune to promote health, help train and shape our trees the way we want them to grow, and get rid of unwanted branches. Buy pruning we eliminate the upper growth of the branch and promote more branches to grow below.

[Jtv32438]

I love the info on here but how old where the trees? I think I’m a year or two away from that kind of trimming

[Swamplife]

I know none of my trees are ready for pruning now that I have seen these photos. I will have a couple of unks that might be able to be pruned next year.

[MichaelR]

Good info! I wondered why I'd often see some dieback after pruning.

[LaFigGwr2019]

JD,

Thank you for sharing this information with the members.

[AtlantaFig]

Good information. Thank you JD

[efletche]

I always enjoy learning and the addition of photos makes it easier to understand and follow. Thanks.

[Rudy]

I have some fig trees that need trimming next season.  I didn't do it this year because I didn't know exactly where to cut.  The only bud swelling were on the tips and unsure which varieties had brebas.  I would like to know the recommended minimum length the branches should be when pruning. I like the spacing of the trees' branches but would like recommendations as to how many nodes should be left on a branch when trimming. 

[LouisianaMojo]

Here is an update on why we prune trees to increase fig production. These are photos of my unknown Ischia green the photo shows the Breba in place on the old wood, if you look above you will see where I prune that branch and now clearly depicts the brand new branches that are growing and producing a lot of new figs.

We had one branch that was producing Figs when we pruned it is now created three new branches below the cut that are increasing three times as much figs now.

[Rudy]

I just noticed that there is no hollow core in any of these pictures.  If one waits until just before bud break, will that eliminate the hollow core from occurring?

If pruning before bud break is so bad, then why do so many people do it? 

[TXWatson]

I would be interested in a detailed topic on shaping the plant. I see many people grow them out as a large bush, while others a more "open vase" style with several scaffold branches. Wondering if the decision is personal preference, climate, or even fig variety.

[LaFigGwr2019]

TXWatson,

It’s a preference but also keep in mine that it needs air circulation for disease prevention so you don’t want it to densely packed.  I am letting my babies grow but I am trying to do a single trunk for at least 3ft before I start letting them branch.  Hope that helps if not just ask or PM