Your fig tree can be particularly generous, sometimes yielding up to two harvests per year. Have you ever considered that the way you prune it could directly influence this abundance? Right now, mid-March is the optimal time to intervene and promote healthy growth.

However, be careful not to make common mistakes that could severely compromise your harvest. Below, discover the 5 major mistakes when pruning a fig tree, to ensure a generous and consistent yield of delicious fruits.

1. Misjudging the pruning timing

The success of fruiting largely depends on the timing of your pruning. Cutting your fig tree at the wrong time risks disrupting its natural cycle, potentially drastically reducing fig production.

So, when should you prune exactly?

  • Late winter and early spring (March-April): This is the ideal time to shape your tree before it starts producing new shoots.
  • During summer (July-August): A light pruning is sufficient to ensure more sunlight reaches the fruits while slowing down overly vigorous growth.
  • Autumn or winter: Absolutely to be avoided, as the fig tree struggles to heal, which allows diseases to take hold.

Keep in mind that a fig tree that produces two harvests each year (bifere) requires extra attention. Inappropriate pruning in winter or early spring can remove the buds responsible for the early harvest in June.

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2. Making excessively severe cuts

Many gardeners believe that cutting their fig tree back hard will benefit it. In reality, the opposite is true! Your tree might suffer serious setbacks, sometimes stopping fig production for several years.

Why is this so harmful?

  • Figs develop on the previous year’s branches, and sometimes even on those from the current year.
  • An overly aggressive cut will stress the tree and significantly slow down its fruiting.

It’s better to perform a light pruning, removing only the necessary parts to encourage productive branching.

3. Randomly choosing which branches to remove

If you prune randomly, without clearly distinguishing what to remove or keep, the yield of your fig tree is likely to decline rapidly. Which shoots should you encourage, and which should you remove?

Branches to remove:

  • Dead, damaged, or broken branches.
  • Branches that are intertwined or shading others excessively.
  • Unwanted suckers at the base of the trunk, unless you wish to encourage new growth.

Branches to keep:

  • Main structural branches that support the tree’s framework.
  • Young shoots from the previous year that are intended to bear fruit.
  • A few well-placed new shoots to gradually renew the framework.

By removing only what is strictly necessary, you preserve the vigor and energy of your fig tree, ensuring a generous harvest.

4. Making irregular or poorly placed cuts

Each cut must be clean, precise, and properly oriented. Mishandling your pruner can damage the fig tree’s delicate bark and easily allow diseases to take hold.

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Our practical recommendations:

  • Use only a well-sharpened and disinfected pruner to prevent the transmission of infections.
  • Make cuts at a slight angle to avoid water pooling on the wound.
  • Always leave a small space between the cut and the trunk or bud, to promote healthy and swift healing.

A little extra tip: for larger cuts, consider applying a healing compound to create an effective protective barrier.

5. Ignoring the specific variety of your fig tree

The fig tree is not a uniform plant: some species only produce one annual harvest (unifera), while others can yield two harvests (bifera). If you do not consider these specific characteristics, poorly executed pruning risks sacrificing fruiting.

Adapting your pruning to the variety:

  • For unifera fig trees: be careful not to make excessive cuts in March, as this will remove fruits that develop solely on shoots from the previous year.
  • For bifera fig trees: prune lightly and carefully to preserve the fruit-bearing buds intended for both harvests.
  • If the variety is unknown, prefer gentle pruning, keeping as many branches from the previous year as possible.

With proper care, your fig tree could yield up to 30 kg of figs per year. However, making these 5 errors severely reduces your chances of fully enjoying its generosity.

Have you ever tried pruning your fig tree? Did the harvest meet your expectations? Share your experience or tips by leaving a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!