Q.Topping a Fig Tree When Pruning…
We moved into a mobile home in Feb 2009. There is a fig tree that we trimmed way back at that time. This summer it GREW a lot! It is regulation in this park that the trees cannot be highter than our mobile home. So we see no other alternative but to “top it”. The tree is just too big for the area. It had a lot of messy fruit. We don’t eat figs. What should we do?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Fig trees do fine being heavily pruned, so that is not a problem. Prune as you need to. It will likely encourage the plant to grow more like a shrub though, depending on how big it is already.
Pruning it in the spring after new growth appears will help reduce the amount of fruit it produces. You can also call local food banks. Some have programs where extra fruits and vegetables can be donated. Some food banks will even come and collect the fruit from the tree for you.
