Can I shorten the trunk of my fig tree? (forum)

au0rey starts with ...
Hi all,

I have this brown turkey fig in pot that has a really skinny and tall stem (1.1m) and the top is really heavy. It is fruiting at the moment but when the wind is strong, the whole tree collapses and I have to support with stake and strings.

Any idea if I can cut the trunk off when the tree goes dormant? If i do that, will new buds start growing from below or will I actually kill the tree?

Thanks for any advice!

Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 12th January 2010 11:36am

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Araich says...
I reckon that you have a good chance that it will work. I would only take 50% at the most.

It is possible that it could bud further down if left alone. The trunk will fatten anyway. And you wouldn't risk killing it.

Time: 12th January 2010 11:58am

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Original Post was last edited: 12th January 2010 12:01pm

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amanda says...
My staffy "pruned" my fig tree for me! The trunk - only 15cm left - it sprouted no problems and is now 1.5m and fruiting madly!

Time: 12th January 2010 12:19pm

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au0rey says...
Wow I wasnt that mad thinking about chopping it off was I? Haha...thanks for your help!

Time: 12th January 2010 1:54pm

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amanda says...
Hey there au0rey - here's my fig! I don't recommend this method of pruning tho' :-))
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 12th January 2010 9:08pm

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au0rey says...
Hi Amanda, appreciate the pictures!

So picture 2 shows the fig tree being pruned off (where finger is)? And picture 1 shows the three new branches existing state)?

The original (before pruning) was one stem? and after that it branched into three stems?

Time: 13th January 2010 8:43am

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amanda says...
Hi au0rey - yup - the mangled bit in pic 2 was where the dog chewed it (twice actually - grrr) and it was one stem and only a baby plant - maybe half a metre tall at most. Then three stems grew (pic 1 was yesterday). I wouldn't have pruned it down quite that far if I had my way..maybe 30-50cm up from the ground.
It shoots very vigorously and they (figs) are as tough as old boots!

Time: 13th January 2010 11:22am

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Aaron says...
Thanks for the info, Amanda. Learning a great deal from this forum.

Time: 13th January 2010 4:42pm

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au0rey says...
Cool! Thanks Amanda!

Time: 13th January 2010 5:53pm

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