Detailed Guide to Fig Winter Pruning Methods and Key Points

For early-maturing varieties, the fruit on new shoots sprouting from the terminal bud also ripens early and the fruit is large, so such fruiting branches generally should not be headed back. For other varieties, there is no need to pay special attention to retaining them, because the new shoots of these figs, except that the 1 to 2 buds at the base are less likely to send out branches and bear fruit, most of the other shoots can form flowers and bear fruit. For some varieties, after the terminal bud extends, the several buds below it can also send out relatively vigorous new shoots; select and retain 1 to 2 new shoots with suitable orientation and strong growth, and thin out the excess ones; for varieties with weak sprouting ability, there is no need to thin them out, and by heading back, promote the middle and lower parts to sprout new branches and bear fruit.

Young trees should be pruned lightly. During the shaping period of young trees, in order to rapidly increase the number of branches, expand the canopy, promote flower formation and bear fruit early, the amount of pruning should be appropriately light. Also adjust the main branches, and the extension branches of the main and lateral branches should be moderately headed back; weak branches should be appropriately lightly pruned; large branches within the canopy that cross or run parallel to each other should be appropriately thinned out. After pruning, treat the wounds promptly: apply healing and antiseptic membrane to small wounds, and spray Hushu Dajiangjun on large wounds to disinfect and sterilize, so as to avoid wound infection.

Focus on fruiting trees, appropriately thinning out overly dense branches and thin, weak branches, because the annual branches of figs, except for water sprouts, can almost all become fruiting mother branches; as the tree ages, the fruiting area gradually moves outward, causing the base to become bare, so weak lateral branches and auxiliary branches should be thinned out from the base to promote latent buds to sprout new shoots and fill in the branches at the base.