Are you supposed to trim fig trees?
3 min read
Asked by: Loren Lucanto
Pruned trees produce more fruit. Whether you have a fig tree, an apple tree, or a citrus tree, cutting back non-fruiting branches will actually produce a greater harvest on the fruiting branches.
Should fig trees be pruned?
Fig trees can grow up to 3m tall and 4m wide, so it’s vital that you prune your mature fig tree to keep it manageable, especially if it’s been planted in the ground. Plus, fig trees produce their fruit on one year old wood, so by pruning the old wood you can encourage its fruiting.
What happens if I dont prune my fig tree?
If you do not prune these branches, they will drain energy from the main, healthy tree, and your fig tree will gradually weaken and produce a smaller yield as a result. Similarly, secondary lateral branches should also be removed if they grow close to the ground.
Should fig trees be pruned every year?
Figs are great plants to grow – plant them in a sunny, sheltered spot and they’ll reward you with a lush, leafy canopy and tasty figs. They’re also extremely vigorous, so require regular annual pruning to keep them in check.
How do you trim and shape a fig tree?
How to Prune a Fig Tree
- Prune your fig tree in its very first year.
- Prune your tree again during the tree’s first winter.
- Continue pruning your tree every following year.
- Select certain branches to be fruiting branches.
- Use clean pruning shears.
- Prune the secondary branches.
- Prune the suckers.
What time of the year do you cut fig trees back?
After a fig tree is established, the best time when to prune a fig tree will be in the dormant (winter) season when the tree is not growing. Begin your fig tree pruning by removing any branches that are not growing out from your selected fruiting wood, as well as any dead or diseased wood.
How tall should a fig tree be?
Depending on the variety, fig trees naturally mature around 10- to 15-feet tall or larger! Many fig-tree growers find that keeping them between 6-8 feet tall is most manageable, especially in a container environment. Some fig trees have a natural bush-like appearance if allowed to grow naturally.
How do you take care of a fig tree?
Keep the tree in full sun in the summer. Be sure to add a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks in the spring and summer and water the tree moderately. In the winter, move the tree indoors and keep the soil moist. For outdoor fig trees, plant the tree in the spring or early fall in full sun.
