Fig Tree Pruning
blakeas
17 years ago
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gene_washdc
17 years agoblakeas
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Fig Tree Root Pruning
Comments (0)I have three fig trees, each planted in 100 gallon pots. The pots are kept in my garage during the winter. I move them with a pallet jack. I have read about root pruning, but I do not know how to do it. Can someone out there explain the process of root pruning, so that I may root prune my trees? I think my trees need it badly. Thanks for your help....See MoreMy first fig trees - pruning advice?
Comments (1)The following link (pick & paste) will help as a starting point: http://figs4fun.com/basics_Pruning.html...See Morepruning young fig tree
Comments (6)Sorry for the late reply....I just read your additional postings. First, before you do anything, go to YOU-TUBE and search for fig tree pruning/training/planting videos. You'll be surprised at the information that you can view. Second,...if/when you pinch out the terminal bud, at the top of the main-stem, you will encourage dormant buds to break below this point, which will then become the new branches. These branches will be trained to to grow upwards, and will increase the total height of the "tree". These new branches will also eventually be pinched back to encourage more buds to break. You'll have a nice rack of new fruiting branches in no time at all. This will be a work-in-progress, and you may not get too many figs while this training is being done to establish the basic framework of your future tree. But figs grow on new wood, so you may get a few this year....maybe. You say you are located in Missouri. Your tree should still be dormant. If it is dormant, it will not be too late to start to prune, but I would wait until the tree starts to grow for this season, and see if buds start to break along the main-stem, and to make sure your terminal bud is still alive and growing. I'd let the plant take off for at least a month, and put on some growth before pinching/pruning. Fertilize, and let the tree grow so you can see what and where to prune. You don't mention how big a pot the "tree" is growing in, but now, while the tree is still dormant, is the time to do a re-pot, using the correct, quick-draining mix. Growing figs in containers is vastly different than growing trees that are planted into the ground. Search this forum for growing figs in containers. I hope this gives you some idea about what to do when training a Fig tree. There's also plenty of prior postings on this forum about training fig trees. Once you establish the basic structure of your tree, keeping it productive and in control is very easy. Good luck. Frank...See MoreFig Tree Pruning
Comments (8)As a consulting forester and fruit tree grower, I believe the conventional wisdom among the "experts" is not to use tar. It actually increases bug and disease issues. The torch can work, but would damage healthy tissue around the cut. Best just to make the cut at the collar line and leave it be. With a big branch, cut it off a couple of feet away from the collar so that when breaking or falling off it dows not tear the bark off. Then cut the last couple of feet which is light and easy to manage - but watch the last tiny bit at the cut as that is where the piece cut off will start to fall and tear the "hinge". Figs are tough and unless other problems no problem in cutting off as much as you like (we have 400 plus trees in our groves. BTW, the "collar" is that little ridge around the base of the branch where it attaches to the trunk (or the ridge on the trunk where the branch attaches, depending on which way you look at it, and it has specialised cells in it which help it grow over the 'wound' when branch is cut off...See Moregene_washdc
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