Yes, topping them down to 8 or 9 feet should be fine. To get more density/fullness, adequate water and fertilizer, then tip prune and tip prune and tip prune the new growth to gradually develop more leafy stems. The basic problem is they are planted too close to each other and too close to the fence, so can't develop enough branching and foliage to look really good. Someone was in a hurry to get a screen and didn't think long-term. Good care and patient light trimming over a period of time can make them look a lot better than they look now, though.

I'd agree, ot doesn't quite have that fern look to it. Do you have photos of the under side of the leaves? Also where the stems arise from the ground. New leaves in ferns unfurl, giving them the name "crozier", after a bishop's staff.

I second Bass' observation. You can see the "Brunswick" leaf and Breba crop figs on my website pages 4 & 5 (listed as "Vashon Violet" aka "Brunswick"). Also take the time to download the PDF of Ira Condit's "Fig Varieties: A Monograph" from the Home page. Keep in mind your Fig is a Second (Main) crop Fig (from this year's leaf node) but Condit's description of the Second crop Figs and the illustration on page 531 are a match. I hope the Figs taste as good as Condit describes :) Enjoy, kiwibob Here is a link that might be useful: KIWIFRUITSALAD2

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I should have included a bit of back information that would better give orientation about my overall objectives. This first year or two, my main objective is to define the borders of the porch for my two large dogs. Until now, we had a pad and grass up to the pad (pad is the same pre- and post- porch construction) and they could exit the pad anywhere. Now, I want them to get used to exiting the pad onto the sidewalk in the center, because elsewhere will now be beds (and mud and mess and plants to be stomped). That's why I've bombed the front with the cinnamon ferns, to make a sort of visual railing while the dogs re-learn their exit, and while the beds age in with better soil and I get some other plants going (hostas, etc.). For the first year or two. It will be no problem to move the ferns around the corner when that time comes. I've always wanted a mass of ferns on this eastern facing side: My second objective is to create a streamlined mow line. The grass is maintained with a 60 inch deck mower so whatever bed edge I develop needs to allow the mower to move along it easily (I guess rather than undulating what I was trying to get to was smooth curves rather than corners, for mowing purposes). Third objective is LEAST maintenance from a hand weeding perspective. I know it won't be zero, but I'd like to have it controllable without being consuming. Fourth objective is "pretty." I'm not bothered with "curb appeal" in general as the only viewers are anyone coming up the driveway; this is not seen from the street. Eventually, I would like to grow and develop in a pretty foundation border. I got the ferns cheap and they will help my first objective. As I can, I will add more plants and soil amendments, so that is what I'm asking for - where do I EVENTUALLY want to go with this, etc. I appreciate all your inputs! Please add as you have thoughts!