How to Trim Figs

Use your pruning shears to cut back all of the small branches on your fig tree so that no more than five leaves remain on each.

Use your tree saw to remove any branches which are becoming as large or larger than the trunk of the tree. Use your tree saw to remove any growth which seems as though it may lead to a second trunk.

Use your pruning shears and tree saw to remove any branches, large or small, which are growing toward the main trunk. These inward facing branches can choke the tree, reduce its sun exposure, and effect the fruit yield. Remove any dead or dying branches at the same time.

Repeat the pruning process on your fig trees during their first three growing seasons. Doing so will allow you to mold the growth of the tree to fit the shape you prefer. After three growing seasons, the tree will be considered established. It will continue to grow mostly in the shape it has been trained.

Use your pruning shears to clip away any fruit which has failed to ripen by harvest time, but has grown larger than 1/2 inch across. This fruit will not develop further, while smaller, immature fruit will continue to develop into full grown figs during the following growing season.

Coat fig trees freshly pruned in late spring with white latex interior house paint to prevent against sunburn. Mix one part water with one part white latex paint in your bucket. Use your paint brush to spread the paint over your fig tree's branches, in much the same way you would spread suntan lotion over your skin.