Fig Tree Pruning Heather Rhoades

Question

Good article in Summer Fall Bee Line 2020. I have a new fig that has 3 trunks growing from ground level. Should I trim these back to 1 ? It is growing in an area with limited space and I want to keep it compact. Your article recommended “removing any secondary branches growing at less than a 45-degree angle from the main branches.” Should this be more than a 45-degree angle?

Answer 1

You will want the larger angle to avoid keeping any branches that will grow too close to main trunk. This will diminish airflow, and overall health of the tree. Therefor, you will want to remove anything with less than a 45 degree angle.

As for your case, the choice will be up to you! You may choose to keep multiple trunks to increase production is smaller spaces. This will increase the work necessary to keep it healthy, but will cause a more full shrub-type form. Leaving one trunk will allow for a taller tree and more airflow. You may see less yield in smaller spaces with this technique, though.

Here is a collection of articles that will offer quite a bit of information on the care of Fig trees:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs