Fig trees: tips for correct pruning

Fig trees: tips for correct pruning

Cut the figs back carefully

In the first few years the fig grows bushy with numerous branches close to the ground. The aim of the pruning is to build a loose and wide tree structure with a beautiful crown. However, do not prune the young tree too much, because pruning promotes the formation of shoots and at the same time suppresses the formation of fruits.

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When should the fig be cut?

The best times for pruning are February and March, when the fig has not yet sprouted again. Avoid pruning in autumn, as the cold temperatures of the winter months could further freeze the branches back and cause serious damage to the fig.

Cutting order

Thoroughly plan the pruning and do the following:

  • Always work from the bottom up.
  • Always use clean and sharp tools.
  • First, thick shoots close to the ground, which would hinder their growth,

    remove with pruning shears or a saw.

  • Spread larger wounds with a suitable agent.
  • Then prune thinner branches and twigs.
  • If possible, spare biennial shoots as they will bear fruit in the following year.

The spring cut

First remove all branches damaged by the frost. Usually only the one to two-year-old branches are affected by cold damage, while the old and mature branches do little harm in freezing temperatures. Always leave a bud or branch when pruning, because a new shoot will form from these in the coming summer.

The pruning of an older fig tree

Five to six year old figs have a tendency to bald inside. These trees put away a strong pruning that stimulates new growth. In the year after the rejuvenation pruning, however, in many cases you have to forego the fig harvest, as the fig only bears on two-year-old wood.

Cut the pail figs

Container plants are fully compatible with pruning and you can prune them back without any problems in order to achieve a beautiful structure of the plant. Be careful not to cut out too many biennial branches. You can count on a good fruit yield from figs grown in the house, winter garden or on the balcony.

The cut of espalier fruit

Figs do well when planted on a trellis in front of a sunny house wall. The wires should start at a height of about 45 centimeters and run at a distance of 25 centimeters.

Pruning in the first year after planting:

Trim the main shoot of the fig and two side shoots to a length of around 50 centimeters. Cut off all other shoots completely. While the main shoot grows vertically up the trellis, attach the two side shoots to the wires of the trellis at an acute angle to the main shoot.

Follow-up cut in the second year

Next spring, select four strong shoots from each of the two side shoots. One shoot should be on the end of the branch, another on the bottom, and two shoots on top. Prune or break out any other eyes and direct the remaining shoots in the desired direction along the trellis. Bear in mind that fig leaves can get very large and leave enough space between the main branches so that a lot of sunlight can get to the fruits.

The cut in the third year

Cut back the leading branches a little. The cut is made above a bud pointing in the direction of growth. When pruning, leave at least sixty centimeters of last year's wood standing so that enough new shoots and fruits form in summer. Break out unwanted eyes regularly during the summer months.

Care of the trellis

After four years the basic trellis is evenly built up and you only have to prune the fig back in early spring. As with free-standing fig trees, first remove branches that have been damaged by frost. All shoots that grow towards or away from the wall are completely removed. Prune new shoots in the desired direction of growth on one eye. Tie new shoots to the trellis.

Make sure that the espalier fig does not become too dense so that the sunlight reaches all fruits equally. During the summer, it is therefore advisable to carry out additional maintenance pruning for very vigorously growing fig trees, in which you cut back new shoots to five leaves.

Tips & Tricks

Before pruning, look at the fig and plan carefully. Mark all the branches that you want to prune. In this way you avoid incorrect cuts and you do not inadvertently shorten fruit-bearing, biennial branches.