Black mission fig trees (Ficus carica "Black Mission") produce two crops each year: one in the late spring to early summer, and another in the autumn. The trees grow up to 30 feet in height and width. They can be trained upright or sprawling. Pruning needs vary as the tree ages and per the tree's health. Does this Spark an idea?
Time Frame
Black Mission does not need regular annual pruning once it's mature. Pruning mature trees loses figs. For this reason, pruning is generally not performed unless the tree has grown too large, is not producing new growth or has health problems. The California Rare Fruit Growers Association does not recommend pruning mature Black Mission fig trees as a practice.
Exceptions
Annually remove dead, diseased and damaged or weak growth for the tree's the health and appearance. This growth looks different from healthy wood and may appear bent, broken, distorted or damaged.
Season
Since fig trees bear fruit on old growth, the best time to prune them is right after harvesting figs in the late summer to fall. This allows you to make cuts before the tree puts out new growth. You can also trim the Black Mission fig in the late winter to early spring. Pruning at this time may cause loss of figs.
Shaping
Young fig trees do require annual pruning for the first 3 years of life. This pruning shapes the tree. Young figs are shaped to a bush shape, open vase shape or even espaliered. To train young figs into a bush, allow multiple leaders to develop but prune the interior allowing air circulation and light to reach the canopy. To train as a tree, choose one main shoot and prune competing shoots to create a trunk, then allow branches to develop. Prune the interior for air and light.
Tags: Black Mission, annual pruning, Black Mission, tree health