Pruning potted fig tree roots before planting in ground

[noisycrows]

I have fig tree that is about 5ft high in a pot that is about 2 1/2ft high and diameter. It takes up too much space on the patio so would like to put it in the ground, but it's very heavy and the hole would have to be huge.

Can I trim the roots a bit before planting (possibly if I pruned the branches a bit too) so that it's easier to get in the ground? Cheers

[ameno]

You can, and as long as you don't overdo it then it should recover fine, but it may take an extra year or so to restart fruiting while it recovers from the damage.
And I would advise against too much pruning of the top growth, as it just encourages vigorous non-fruiting growth.

If you are going to prune the roots before planting it out, wait until early spring before doing it. If you do it in the autumn, the tree won't be able to repair the damage properly and open wounds will sit all winter. Considering figs don't like too much damp, this may well induce rotting.

And of course be sure to properly contain the root ball when you plant it in the ground. The usual way is to line the sides of the hole with paving slabs and the bottom with a decent layer of loose rubble.
You can also get special fabric impregnated with something (I think it might be copper) which effectively prunes the roots as it goes, as the very tip of any root that touches it dies, thus preventing the root growing further in that direction and instead encouraging branching of the roots.

[noisycrows]

That's a great reply ameno, thanks, really helpful. I saw one article online that said to move it in spring but, others said to do it over winter while it's dormant (but that was just for putting a potted fig straight into the ground). So spring it is.

I saw a Gardeners' World video about the paving slabs, but hadn't heard of the fabric so I will look into that.

Do you have any idea how much root I could remove? Say, a quarter? A third?! Or know where I could find an answer online?

[ameno]

I'd go easy on it. A quarter sounds plenty.

As for those recommendations of planting in winter, as you say that's just for putting a potted plant straight in the ground. Since you will be actively damaging yours, it's best to wait until it's about to start regrowing. If you do it in March, it will still be dormant at that stage, anyway, but it will start growing again soon and so can repair the damage to the roots better.

[Plot70]

I lost about two thirds of the root from a two year old seedling last year and it recovered.
It was growing through an old buried brick wall and was far too close to buildings.
I have got another two year old that is producing roots from the bottom of the pot. It will be going in the ground before next spring.
That late frost put them back more than transplanting did.
I will not use slabs as the surrounding beds will be dug regulareley.
18 inches below the planting hole there is bedrock in both locations.