To be absolutely safe, especially for young trees still getting established, fence in the.

To prune a fig tree to grow as a bush, remove lateral branches, and intentionally shape the tree each winter. To prune a fig tree to grow as a tree, use the open center system or modified central leader system. Either of these pruning approaches will encourage the tree to grow wide and full. Pruning and Training Methods. Fig trees can be pruned and trained to grow as bushes or trees. At full maturity, a fig tree. Jul 07, Remove or cut back damaged portions of larger branches. Maintain the open center to prevent shading of the interior portion of the tree.

Retain shoots that grow horizontally and to inch fruiting shoots, regardless of their orientation. Thin fruiting shoots to a spacing of about 4 to 6 inches apart on the bushmulching.barted Reading Time: 5 mins.

Prune the newly-planted young fig tree to an open-center shape. If your fig is a whip without branches, top the seedling just after planting to 24 to 32 inches above the ground. 2 Select four. Feb 27, To prune a fig tree for the first time, trim away about half of the tree after its first winter outside so it can focus on developing strong roots.

Then, after the second winter, cut everything except 5 or 6 strong new branches for the fruit to grow on%(85). pruning was not done or was insufficient, create the open center during the dormant sea-son. Continue to develop secondary scaffold branches in subsequent growing seasons.

First dormant season after bushmulching.bar three or four primary scaffold branches if this was not done the previous summer. Do not select scaffold limbs that grow directly. Open center pruning is recommended for most stone-fruit trees.

An open-center structure keeps the tree's canopy open to light, which is necessary for the development of quality fruit. It is beneficial in supporting the heavy fruit crops of certain stone-fruit trees, since it is primarily based on the natural growth habit of the trees.

Open-center pruning, sometimes referred to as vase-type pruning, is a form of trimming a bush or tree that increases air flow and sunlight to the center of the plant while providing ample spacing.