Fig

[Greenleaves]

What would you do with this, prune hard, dig out or leave?

[Jay-ell]

I'd go with the hard prune. If that doesn't work you can always dig it out later.

Remember to prune from the bottom up so you don't get dripped on.

[fishpond]

Leave it alone this year & tidy up around the base.

[Greenleaves]

Thanks but I might take the top out...stands about 15'

[Guest]

If it was mine and I could put up with it for a year. I would just lob the top off for this year. (no more than a third). Then next year I would look at shaping and thinning. But that is just me.

[Mark_Riga]

If you hard prune, you could take some cuttings. Then in the future, you would have the option to put one where you would like it if you decide to dig it up.

[BUFFS]

I trained mine onto wires so it ended up like an espalier, so I could reach it all without getting a ladder out, it is loving this sunshine, Easter, and no rain ,most of us in Scotland will be suffering from shock by now , the pear trees seem to love it too..

[Snoop Puss]

Me, I'd leave it for this year and prune early next year. Not just height but also any growth sprouting up at ground level and probably some of the branches.

[greenishfing]

If you can kill a fig tree you will do better than my husband. He thought he had dug it up. No.... it regrew! He dug a moat around it and set it on fire with kindling and petrol. He then built a patio. The next year it came up at the edge of the patio. The nastier you are to them the better they do.

[DannyK]

Nice to know I'm not alone with a rampant fig!

Those fruits should have been taken off last year as they won't ripen.

I just hacked mine back and am waiting to see results.

One in greenhouse had a lighter prune.

There are some useful clips on Youtube

[It never rains..it pours]

Are the roots boxed in ?, if not maybe that would restrict growth. Planted one here at weekend and lined hole sides with damp proof membrane and brick rubble on the bottom, hopefully will restrict vegative growth

[sian68]

I took about 30 cuttings from 3 different trees last year, didn't think they would all take but they did, so if anyone wants a young fig tree?

[veggiechicken]

I had 2 fig tree cuttings and planted them in a restricted little bed - I now have a fig tree hedge that has to be cut with hedge trimmers. Its another monster I could do without.
The figs were lovely but because the tree grew too tall, I couldn't pick the figs before they were too ripe and the wasps found them.
To you, GL, I say, if you want to keep it, cut it low enough to pick, and keep it in check.

[Greenleaves]

I spoke to the local pick your own guy today and inline with the link Penellype posted, he said fig trees should be pruned 3 times a year. Said I was thinking of seriously reducing its size and told to reduce it by a third now and again in Sept/Oct.

It has two choices