Like many other fruit trees, fig trees need a huge amount of space to grow. Being confined to a small corner of your garden will ultimately affect the yield and the overall health of the tree, but knowing when to prune fig trees can help you keep your fig tree (and its fruit) in tip-top condition.
Knowing how to prune fig trees is an essential piece of information to know. But while having the tools and tips to cut this tree back is important, you also need to know when to complete this garden task, as all fruit-producing plants are different. In fact, you should prune an apple tree in November, and you should prune summer-fruiting raspberries in late summer.
Ultimately, pruning fig trees at the right time can lead to bigger trees and even more fruit, but it’s vital to take precautions when undergoing this gardening task. The sap from these trees is an irritant, so it's always best to wear gloves to avoid any contact between the sap and your skin.
When to prune fig trees
‘Pruning your fig tree will help to increase fruits and also encourage growth,’ explains Neil Miller, Head Gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens. However, pruning at the wrong time could spell disaster for your fruit tree.
So, when exactly should you prune a fig tree? Steve Chilton, garden expert at LeisureBench says, ‘If you have a young fig tree, then you should take a look at it in spring and remove any dead branches that didn't survive over the winter or were generally weakened by the cold.’
‘These branches will prove a hindrance to the growth of your plant, so you need to cut these down to about 5cm long (2 inches) in order to encourage new growth without damaging the plant and its branches any further.’
By focusing on your pruning efforts in the spring and after the last frost, you can rest easy knowing that your fig tree will have time to properly heal itself after its been pruned. This will ultimately prevent the risk and spread of disease.
However, the best time to prune mature fruit trees is a little different. ‘If you have a mature fig tree, then you should avoid pruning it in spring and only prune it when it’s dormant, which is around autumn and winter time. This is because fig trees bleed sap if pruned and cut into outside of their dormant season, and excessive bleeding can cause the fig tree to die or at least become unhealthy and weak,’ explains Steve.
Steve also suggests giving your young fig trees a second prune during the autumn months, but you need to be careful when doing so. This prune aims to tidy up the tree in preparation for winter without cutting anything in the process.
Instead, focus on removing the figs that didn’t ripen during the growing season rather than cutting back any of the branches. And by keeping your pruning shears well out of sight, you can also ensure that you don’t accidentally cut off any of the fruitlets.
‘When pruning, you should also avoid cutting off the fruitlets. ‘Fig fruit come from pea-sized fruitlets formed from the previous year, so leave these well alone unless they are attached to unruly branches and stems, in which case prune gently there but keep as many of the compact shoots with fruitlets as you can,’ says Neil.
FAQs
What month is best to prune fig trees?
The best time to prune fig trees is when the tree is dormant. Generally, this is between late winter and early spring. You can also prune them again in autumn, but you need to be careful as the tree will have started producing new fruit during this time.
How do you prune an overgrown fig tree?
If your fig tree is growing too big for your garden, it’s important to strike a balance when pruning. While you should aim to cut some back old wood, you should also leave some behind.
Focus on hard pruning the bare branches, leaving a stub of around 3cm, to allow replacement shoots to grow in their place.
While you’re doing this, it’s also a good idea to prune any crisscrossing branches and attempt to open up the canopy.
Most importantly, you should avoid cutting off the fruitlets, as this will ultimately affect your fruit yield.
Now you know when to prune fig trees, it’s time to get pruning!
