Knowledgebase

How and when to prune a large spreading fig tree #891280

Asked January 06, 2025, 9:44 AM EST

I have a large leaning fig with a trunk of about a 8 inch diameter and about 12 to 14 feet from base to tip. It isn’t an area that gets sun midday and has a very light crop of figs. My question is how to prune it, and when

Durham County North Carolina

Expert Response

Hello,

That is a big fig tree. One of the things about letting them grow so tall is that the fruit is out of reach.

To get around this, many fig growers prune back their trees or coppice them.

The goal is to make it look more like a bush than a tree. Start by pruning out any branches that are dead or damaged. Next, cut down the main trunk and any larger trunks to about 4’ tall. This will make it easier for the final step which is cutting off any branches that are growing towards the center of the tree.

The best time to do this pruning is when the trees are dormant, January through February. Just a heads up, we’re having a scion exchange on February 1st that is open without registration. Stop on by about 11:00 am and pick up some twigs to graft onto your tree.

Cheers,

Sara, Durham County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Pana Jones, Program Assistant Replied January 10, 2025, 2:22 PM EST
Thanks for the information-  I'll get out my saw!
On Fri, Jan 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied January 10, 2025, 3:10 PM EST

Happy sawing

Pana Jones, Program Assistant Replied January 13, 2025, 8:40 AM EST

Let us know if you have any other questions

Pana Jones, Program Assistant Replied January 17, 2025, 10:17 AM EST

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