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Can a LSU Gold fig be trained into a shapely tree????

OR

is it to vigorus and every Winter/Spring pruning will quickly be overshadowed by rampant vigorous growth and new ground level suckers?

Maybe I should start removing the suckers now that I have more than five good trunks forming. What do you think?
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Decide what you want, and cut away everything that doesn't fit your vision/design.  Keep new wood under controlled growth in seasons to come.  Establishing the basic framework of branches, might be a challenge, but nothing you can't handle.  What follows is easier.  If you make a mistake, don't fret...figs sprout vigorously when pruned hard.

Have fun and good growing.

Frank
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Is yours in-ground?  Mine is barely a year old in a container, and I see that vigor.  Only one trunk and no suckers.  I did not pinch it yet because I'm hoping for a tree shape too!

Frank is correct though.  Figs do what you tell them to do!

Suzi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank
Decide what you want, and cut away everything that doesn't fit your vision/design.  Keep new wood under controlled growth in seasons to come.  Establishing the basic framework of branches, might be a challenge, but nothing you can't handle.  What follows is easier.  If you make a mistake, don't fret...figs sprout vigorously when pruned hard.

Have fun and good growing.

Frank


Thanks Frank I'll try that out next season. I'd do it now but I hope to be able to send cuttings out this Winter. Something clicked on the "new wood under control". I guess this is one fig being so vigorous that I could establish basic frame work quickly and still have time for a crop.

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Originally Posted by DesertDance
Is yours in-ground?  Mine is barely a year old in a container, and I see that vigor.  Only one trunk and no suckers.  I did not pinch it yet because I'm hoping for a tree shape too!

Frank is correct though.  Figs do what you tell them to do!

Suzi


Hi Suzi,

Yes mine is in the ground but only one and a half seasons. I think I planted it early Summer last year and it shot up to over four feet and this year I have linbs at least ten foot tall maybe taller.

This think is like a hormonal teenager. Stare at it and it behaves, turn your back and it goes totally nuts!
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Darkman, I took a photo to show you my LSU Gold that I had for many years. If you look at the caliper of the trunk you might be able to tell its been here awhile. It may not be a perfectly shaped tree but I like it and had no trouble keeping it like it is in the photo. I just cut back the branches some every year or so.
My trees are starting to get ready for winter weather.
Good luck
Lou

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Looking Good Lou ;-))
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Lou, that is one nice looking LSU Gold. Will have to try this on one of mine next year. 
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Darkman....

The vigorous growth is a good thing. 

First, use this characteristic to establish the "look" of your tree by getting the basic framework settled.  This will probably change slightly as buds sprout, and new branches start to grow.  New growth is easier to control.  Just rub out any sprouting buds that will spoil your design.  All that vigor will now go into making figs instead of useless wood.

Additionally, all that new, green wood will root very easily to increase your stock...if that's what you want.  Pruning mistakes, if any, will usually be erased in one season.

I see no disadvantages when training your fig tree, and only positive options.  Figs are truly a dream for gardeners.  They will do exactly what you want.  Other fruit trees...not so much.


Happy designing and growing, the next "best" specimen.  A new work in progress.

Frank
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou
Darkman, I took a photo to show you my LSU Gold that I had for many years. If you look at the caliper of the trunk you might be able to tell its been here awhile. It may not be a perfectly shaped tree but I like it and had no trouble keeping it like it is in the photo. I just cut back the branches some every year or so.


Thanks Lou,

That form looks nice. I want multiple trunks from the ground probably four and them branching from each of those at about 18". I'm encourached by the look of your tree and I'm confident I can achieve what I am looking for.

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Originally Posted by Frank
Darkman....

The vigorous growth is a good thing. 

First, use this characteristic to establish the "look" of your tree by getting the basic framework settled.  This will probably change slightly as buds sprout, and new branches start to grow.  New growth is easier to control.  Just rub out any sprouting buds that will spoil your design.  All that vigor will now go into making figs instead of useless wood.

Additionally, all that new, green wood will root very easily to increase your stock...if that's what you want.  Pruning mistakes, if any, will usually be erased in one season.

I see no disadvantages when training your fig tree, and only positive options.  Figs are truly a dream for gardeners.  They will do exactly what you want.  Other fruit trees...not so much.


Happy designing and growing, the next "best" specimen.  A new work in progress.




Thanks Frank,

Your comments are right on target. It's time I quit being scared and start traing the fig. I'm the boss here (Gee I hope the fig trees dfidn't hear that) and I think next year I will get the look I want.

Many thanks,

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