Cutting a fig tree to three feet
by
Lauren
+7
I have a 16 year old brown fig tree that is 15 feet tall. I am in my 60's and find it to difficult to harvest. If I cut the tree 12 feet, would it die?
I would cut it where the knot is, under the knot or over the knot?
10 answers
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www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/pruning-fig-trees.htm
Janet Pizaro
on Aug 01, 2016
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i have a fig tree and cut it back every winter. it just bushes out wider but the figs are easy to pick. maybe yours is to big now. try cutting it a little and see.
Polly Fuller
on Aug 01, 2016
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I would prune five feet and see is the tree is OK, In a few months prune 5 feet more. Again if it is OK .Then the next winter prune it back to the hight you are wanting.
Susan Axsom Curtis
on Aug 01, 2016
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Make sure the fig tree is pruned at the correct time.
Janet Pizaro
on Aug 01, 2016
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Rule of thumb to follow. Never cut more than 1/3 of a tree per year for the health of the tree. That includes the dead, diseased and cross branches. Another rule of thumb. You should not be able to hang your hat on the remaining nub that you leave. In other works cut to the crown.
Lorraine Wilson
on Aug 01, 2016
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There are fruit picking telescoping poles, mostly made for larger fruits like oranges, peaches ect. I'll bet if the wire fingers were bent closer together they would work for figs.
Jim7277118
on Aug 01, 2016
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Yes prune them back after the figs have dropped just before the nub of the next new growth, or next years new figs. I don't think you would have a problem at all. The fig tree is a very hardy tree.
Debi Dana
on Aug 01, 2016
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My fig tree was as large as yours until last year. Then this winter and spring brought some unusually warm days... lots of new growth. .. Then, pouf, a cold snap killed the tree (and all the fig tree s in Maryland)! so this spring, we chopped down practically the whole tree. Guess what? It came back. It is about three feet tall, not the old branches but new growth all around. Did't bear any fruit, but I know that next year it will make proud again. Apparently, you can't kill a fig tree, no matter how hard you try! I'll make sure to never again let it grow that tall and big again. It not only invaded all my backyard, but it was impossible to pick the fruits so high. Cut it short this fall, don't worry it will be back !
Age7768895
on Aug 01, 2016
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My fig tree was over 18 feet tall , I cut it back in November the first year that we owned our home . about 4 feet . It grew very well , had lots of fruit . But grew taller than before . I cut it back again , down to 12 feet total. My neighbors all said it would die . it was fine , I had a MAJOR issue two years ago in December . My workshop next to the tree caught fire , and severely damaged the Tree , not to mention the shop . I had to cut away all the damaged limbs . Down to 4 feet . The next spring it grew back , but no fruit at all . This year , it is back in all it's glory . I am canning figs now
Tim
on Aug 04, 2016
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Wrote to you last week. Forgot to tell you that I propagated two new fig trees by just cutting a branch and sticking it in the ground. Not only they are as big as their mama, but they are bearing fruit already! My neighbors told me to trim it short every year so you can pick the fruit .
Age7768895
on Aug 12, 2016
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