Corrective Pruning

t_corey89

t_corey89

Well-known member
My JHA and I258 are like 7 ft tall sticks lol. I know I should’ve chopped them down last year when they were dormant. But I didn’t. The I258 threw out 3 branches about halfway up, and new growth up top with 3-4 branches. When they go dormant this winter, could I chop it in half and say a prayer?

Basically same ordeal with the JHA.

Not trying to kill them, but I’ve been really contemplating just cutting them in half. I know it’s too late this time of the year. Just looking for corrective action advice.
 
I am in the same boat with a few 7 footers in pots. I was thinking to chop them down earlier, then I realized there are vigorous and need room to grow. So, I planted them in ground next to the deck, which is about 1-2 ft higher. Now, they are at perfect height and can grow another 1-2 feet.

I grafted a few more scions on these to keep it's overall growth in check.

I had pruned these last year but the leader shot back up. The tree bender I applied on didn't work very well.
 
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grasshopper said:
I am in the same boat with a few 7 footers in pots. I was thinking to chop them down earlier, then I realized there are vigorous and need room to grow. So, I planted them in ground next to the deck, which is about 1-2 ft higher. Now, they are at perfect height and can grow another 1-2 feet.

I grafted a few more scions on these to keep it's overall growth in check.

I had pruned these last year but the leader shot back up. The tree bender I applied on didn't work very well.
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yea these were air layers last year and they went nuts last year. This year they’ve both put on about 1.5-2 ft of new growth height wise, plus new branches. I don’t want to kill them, but they really probably need to be cut in half basically. lol.
 
Well I threw up a new trellis for my blackberries and figured while nothing is occupying it I would use that to keep my fig trees upright. Better than than slamming and rubbing against the fence all day with the wind.

How would yall prune these? Lmao
 

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Hayes said:
Yikes.. won't they fall over with the weight of the fruit?
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Well the I258 is the second pic and is the tallest and has no baby figs or anything. So I doubt it. The JHA has maybe 5-6 maybe. Idk I didn’t count them. But the trees themselves are tied to the wire for support, and I also have some of the new branches tied to the wires to open it up more and so IF they form fruits they won’t be too heavy, they’ll be supported.
 
t_corey89 said:
Well I threw up a new trellis for my blackberries and figured while nothing is occupying it I would use that to keep my fig trees upright. Better than than slamming and rubbing against the fence all day with the wind.

How would yall prune these? Lmao
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If planting in the ground is an option, I think you could dig a really deep hole and put much of the trunk into the ground. Instant shorter trunk and very deep roots. I think that would work.
 
Just air layer the tops off. Also, unless it is unusually hot, or otherwise stressful for the tree, you could probably get away with just loping it off right now and it will sprout below that. If you want another tree, the air layer is perfect.
 
Last year I put a few ALs on late like 6-8 weeks before frost and they grew roots then went dormant. I then cut them off dormant and brought them into my cutting area. I loved that, no stress on the air layer.
 
WhiteCliffsFigs said:
Last year I put a few ALs on late like 6-8 weeks before frost and they grew roots then went dormant. I then cut them off dormant and brought them into my cutting area. I loved that, no stress on the air layer.
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I was really thinking about doing an air layer right in the middles lol. I’m scared to chop it in half and they both die lmao.
 
I have a few like that. My Abington unk. is at least 7ft tall. I think my plan is to airlayer and then when they go dormant cut them at 24 inches.
 
If you want some free trees, just set an air layer where you plan to prune them. You can even set multiple layers in line along the same main trunk. You can totally set multiple air layers on one stem
 
t_corey89 said:
Well I threw up a new trellis for my blackberries and figured while nothing is occupying it I would use that to keep my fig trees upright. Better than than slamming and rubbing against the fence all day with the wind.

How would yall prune these? Lmao
Click to expand...
Holy moley those are talllllll and lean! I would think you can prune it when ready, I have a lean one like this but it's no where near as tall! I'll be pruning mine this fall, right now I'm just letting its roots get established in ground
 
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