Avoidable Mistakes To Know Before Pruning A Fig Tree

You can plant this low-maintenance fruit tree in your yard for an abundance of tasty fruit. Although the common fig tree (Ficus carica) is native to the Mediterranean and central Asia, many U.S. homeowners have had success growing figs in their backyard gardens. Even areas with harsher winters can grow some of the more hardy fig cultivars, like 'Chicago Hardy' and 'Celeste." But, one of the main issues to consider before planting or growing a fig tree, no matter where you live, is how and when to prune your fig tree. Although fig trees require little pruning, it's best to follow the proper pruning methods when it comes time for a trim. Avoid common mistakes like pruning at the wrong time, pruning too much or not enough, and not properly training your tree. 

The dormant season is the best time of year to prune your garden's fig trees. Growth for fig trees halts during the dormant season, lasting anywhere from late fall to early spring. Pruning your fig tree at the wrong time of the year can result in removing branches that produce the early summer fruit crop. It's especially important to avoid cutting any branches that are actively growing. Otherwise, you also risk exposing yourself to the latex sap that figs bleed when cut. This milky sap can cause minor skin irritation, and sometimes much more severe reactions.

If you decide to prune your fig tree, start when it is young. Figs very quickly become out of control with suckers (base shoots), and can become bushy and weak without regular attention. One of the fruit tree pruning mistakes to avoid at all costs is falling behind with trimming tasks. Staying on top of this maintenance task ensures strong fruit production, because it encourages the growth of durable branches. To avoid over-pruning your fig tree, focus on removing dead wood and anything that interferes with the growth of fruit-producing branches. If you remove too many branches in winter, you could lose a large amount of the next year's crop.

But there's a difference between trimming a young versus an old fig tree. The first year of growth involves removing the shoots that form at the bottom of the tree. As your fig tree matures, it's best to taper off the aggressive pruning in favor of adopting an as-needed basis. Fig trees can grow well, once established, without a lot of excessive trimming and maintenance. Once your fig tree gets much older, you might consider a return to heavy pruning methods to remove all unproductive growth. Fig trees are very resilient and typically respond with more growth in the following year.

Some fig trees produce fruit the first year after transplanting, while others require as many as 3 years to begin fruit production. You can ensure the best crop by staying on top of training. Don't make the mistake of not choosing how you want to train your fig tree. You can train them to grow in a fan-like design against a wall or as a bush with a singular trunk. Once your tree is trained, you'll need to stay consistent with maintenance. However, mature trees that have been properly trained usually need major attention (cutting back more mature branches) only every 3 to 4 years. 

To prune a fan-trained fig tree, reduce young shoots that have grown from the year before in spring. Older trees may require you to cut back old, bare branches. New shoots can be tied to wires to encourage the classic fan shape. Fan-shaped fig trees should be pruned twice a year, so in summer plan to cut off the tips of young shoots. This encourages more branching for a fuller fan. 

Pruning a bush-trained fig tree is similar, with a focus on maintaining strong branches. Right after planting your fig tree, you should cut back one-third to one-half of its height or plant the stem a little deeper in the ground. The first year's growth can be left alone, but then pick three to eight shoots and cut back all other growth. These shoots form the base of a bush form and should be far enough apart from each other to avoid crowding.