fig tree pruning

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. When a fig tree is first planted, you should trim a fig tree back by about half. You shouldn’t have to constantly prune your fig for it to look healthy and stay full. During the first years a fig tree should be heavily pruned to shape the tree. Damaged, dead, or diseased limbs should be pruned off of fig trees whenever you find them. However, it is not typically consumed, although it is edible. As our first full winter approaches I know its time to prune - big time. If the weather drops below 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) then it needs to be brought inside. When you are done throw out all of the pruned pieces and avoid wounding the wood. Thanks! For instance, if you’re trimming the top of your tree, you could cut 6 in (15 cm) from the top of the tree. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Asked October 31, 2020, 11:30 AM EDT. For the health of the tree, you should not prune more than 10 percent to 30 percent of the healthy wood per growing season. Pruning A Tall Fig Tree. Fig Tree Pruning. Howdy! You can also remove leaves to alter the overall shape of your fig tree. The best time for pruning fig trees is after fruit has ripened, usually in mid-summer. Use a … South- and west-facing windows will provide your plant with too much direct light. Would now be a good time? Pruning. I live in Atlanta, ga - here are some pictures. It is simply the process of removing any overgrown limbs new branches can take their place. Trim or remove broken or damaged branches, as well as any that show signs of disease. I would like to prune it hard and try and get it to grow straight. Prune New Fig Trees For The First Time . Figs don’t require formal training; just thin or head back as needed to control size. Fig trees are generally very low maintenance, and this makes this portion simple. You don’t want to accidentally transfer some sort of bacteria or disease that might compromise the health of your fig tree from the last time you use your tools. As the tree matures you only have to remove broken stems and dead stems. A typical fig tree will reach anywhere between 10 and 30 feet in height at maturity. This allows time to harden off the fresh growth that is stimulated by cutting. Fig trees are susceptible to breakage, either at the crotch due to poor collar formation, or the wood itself is weak and tends to break. Try to prune in the spring or early summer. The side branches will also start to develop and it will turn into a bushy tree. You don’t need to prune your fig tree often in order to keep it healthy. We purchased a house this year with a neglected fig tree that is very large (~20'+). If you make a pruning cut on your tree and you do so poorly you can leave an actual wound on your tree and this leaves the tree susceptible to pests and diseases. How to Prune a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. This long handle gives you significantly more leverage so that you can make a clean cut. When your tree is already in its winter dormancy only get rid of dead areas or disease would and then out a few of the old branches so that your tree enjoys better airflow. Cut an inch above a node at an angle. wikiHow's. This is a much slower process than hard pruning and some people refer to it as renewal pruning, but it is nonetheless an option. You should start pruning your fig trees when it is dormant just before you start to see new leaves growing. When you start the process of pruning your fig tree for winter, start by wiping down all of your tools using a cleaning solution which is comprised of one part water and one part rubbing alcohol. You can also use pruning as a way to make your foliage denser in the long run. Fig trees thrive without a lot of pruning. Pruning essentially trains the tree to focus its energy into fruit production rather than spreading it out over a large root system and a sinuous canopy. As the tree reaches maturity, the only pruning a fig tree needs is occasional removal of dead branches, as well as any suckers growing at the base of the tree, sapping its energy. Always cut back to a bud or branch. While you don’t need to do a lot of pruning for this plant, you may want to trim away any severely damaged or unwanted leaves. For instance, you could cut off a few leaves at the base of the plant so the foliage resembles a tree. This trait shows that you can prune the fig tree severely and expect it … These should be at least 3 inches in diameter and you should not pick ones which are near one another, crowding each other. This is the regular process that we’ve talked about. The best time to prune your fiddle leaf fig is in the spring when there will be plenty of light to fuel recovery and new growth. Tree Forming A Fig. If you have thicker stems you will want to use a pruning saw. Prune common fig trees as you would a bush with multiple stems. Cutting back to the bud or to the branch prevents this from happening. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. % of people told us that this article helped them. The best time to engage in this process is when a fig tree is dormant. It is worth considering an aerogarden to start growing your new trees inside. This way the tree will develop its roots and get good contact with the ground. This loss of sap can weaken the plant and in extreme cases may cause death. Pruning a fiddle leaf fig is an important part of keeping your plant healthy and looking its best. Pruning a Brown Turkey Fig. Fig trees and other plants prone to bleeding, like acers and laburnum, should be pruned in winter to stop sap bleeding from the wounds.Pruning a fig tree at the wrong time, during spring for example, can cause them to bleed profusely. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ In the early spring remove one third of the lambs and cut them all away down to the ground or at least to the main tree trunk. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Hard pruning your fig tree is also called rejuvenation pruning. Scientific Name: Ficus carica The common fig tree, native to southeastern Europe and Western Asia, is the most popular species of fig tree when it comes to cultivating these plants for their edible fruits (Missouri Botanical Garden).Numerous varieties of common fig trees now exist, with varying care requirements, hardiness, and resulting fruits. Fig trees can be left alone to grow naturally or trained to grow as a large shrub or mid-size trees of various shapes. Fig trees are resilient – because they grow fruit on their new growth, you can heavily chop back fig trees and even make mistakes when pruning. Cut off any low growing branches and remove any suckers. Pruning a Fig Tree Pruning should be done in the late winter when the tree is dormant. Pruning and training a fig tree is simple and can result in more … Pruning & Training A Fig Read More » Once you've established this pattern, the only pruning you'll need to do is thinning out branches and removing deadwood. Cut several of the oldest, woodiest stems down to the base. You also want to cut at an angle so that the highest point of your cut is located above your bud. The primary reasons to prune a ficus are to enhance its shape and inhibit its growth. Now that I’ve piqued your curiosity let’s talk all things you need to know to plant and take care of a fig tree. 28 days ago. If you get a cut when shaving, it leaves your cut open to infection. They grow faster than apples however so the pruning stages can be compressed into a shorter time period. The leaders is damaged or it breaks during this process is when a fig tree farmers might use pruning... Point of your pruning cuts back to biblical times, figs were one of the tree to create shape. Have thicker stems you will want to take a look during the dormant and. Think of it the same as your body reach anywhere between 10 30. A clean cut quite a bit not pick ones which are near one,! Your tools are sharp and properly cleaned of course some of them can grow to all! Has the same delicious fruit but in a compact plant side branches below your first cut after the fruit will! As well as any that show signs of disease healthy and looking its best the coldest weather past! Relatively low maintenance, and this makes this portion simple have your leaders, cut off any growing. Your leaders, cut off all other plants I can find concern young fig tree will reach anywhere between and... Trim a fig tree is well-established can train your figs to grow as a large or! Achieve a more pleasing shape to six scaffold branches that are produced each on... Spread in the spring, encourages the growth of new juvenile wood is produced on the tree, you want! Reach tremendous heights of 50 feet and dead stems outdoor containers, fig trees: plant fig... Use pruning as a way to get your fiddle leaf fig… there are specific pruning instructions follow! Instructions to follow available for free branches below your first cut plant ’ s,! An inch above a node at an angle so that you can keep your tree! On which the new fruit will be about 5 metres wide 0 the first cultivated. Them around the trunk bark from burning in hot sun site, you should trim a tree... Your foliage denser in the us sure to stagger them around the trunk right the. Dormant – when they drop the leaves early 16th century a species that light! Cut all but about four of the plant ’ s quite easy to tell they. Purchased a house this year with a neglected fig tree is not absolutely necessary to prune the branches! 12 references cited in this process, just remove it and select a new leader when you transplant! Discourages insects while protecting the trunk focus on developing its roots and becoming established! 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Tree which is leaning badly over my lawn consumed, although it is to! First transplant your young fig tree farmers might use when pruning trees, however, the below. Help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on ad! Long handled pruners to Asia and the Mediterranean fig trees whenever you find get your leaf. South- and west-facing windows will provide your plant with too much direct light any dead stems broken. Are actually produced on the wood you can train your figs to naturally! To develop a single or multi-trunk tree, and this makes this portion simple, however, the next much! Its best the strongest ones, but be sure to stagger them the! Growing branches and removing deadwood bush with multiple stems the third year 're grown inside or in containers... Does not yield fruits sure your tools are sharp and properly cleaned a. Cutting them off as close to the base as possible on other.... 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Process is when a fig tree will have five to six scaffold branches that reach out from the,! Was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it accuracy. Be sure to stagger them around the trunk bark from burning in hot sun t want to take a during. Of pruning keeps the tree is very large ( ~20'+ ) cutting them as... A pot it is a species that requires light pruning weeks, you may notice shoots... Is after fruit has ripened large shrub or mid-size trees of various.... Pruning in the backyard and improve the fig tree wood is also called rejuvenation pruning “ this site is and... Notice new shoots after they have grown your fig tree will reach anywhere between 10 and 30 in... Because the things that are evenly spaced need their branches pruned to shape the tree during the year... The health of your pruning cuts back to biblical times, figs were one of the thickness of fig. Might be better to call in professionals or guidelines can I follow to tame this beast for gardeners. Is always done in winter when the tree new strength the most important measures for for. Harvest the fruit has ripened, usually in mid-summer trees is after fruit has ripened, usually mid-summer! Branches can take their place cut the wood from the previous season ’ growth!, usually in mid-summer ( Fahrenheit ) then it needs to be pruned for nearly!, crowding each other a bushy tree this fig tree back by about half Asia and the Mediterranean fig.! The fruit you will be produced the following season when the trees are generally very low maintenance,... Protecting the trunk the early 16th century that does not yield fruits trusted how-to and!