Hello, what are the guidelines for pruning fig trees? These two trees are growing too close together in partial dappled shade and have been let go. There are slim branches arching out and down ( even touching the ground). They do however, have a crop of good figs. When is the time to prune and how brutal can you be? Thanks Jenmckee - a new member
Most fruiting Figs can tolerate a major pruning overhaul about every 5 years or so here where I am located. There are no real guidelines other than prune these to shape them the way you want or how you expect them to look like next year and in successive years. It would be helpful to know which variety as some varieties may not like a severe pruning but most should respond okay in time. I like to prune mine here in the Spring right before they leaf out or later in the Summer after the first round and perhaps second crop of fruit have been harvested. It is normal for many Figs to cascade when they have fruit as look where the Figs are, usually on the tips of the branches. I am hesitant to prune these heavily during the Winter as we can get some cold injury starting at the ends of our pruning cuts. A limb canker can soon develop if we are not careful which is why I prefer to prune these when there is sap flow. They will heal much faster. Jim
