Ive moved into a home with at least a 44 year old black mission fig tree in the back yard. It was used as a home by carpenter bees I've managed to flush them out of the tree but some damage has been done to the canopy. They nested right in the center of the tree and now new growth has been showing all over the base of the trunk and on the side. should I let it do its thing and become a fig bush? or should I be pruning and aiding in some way for optimal growth and fruit next year? Thank you


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I have no experience with a fig tree that size but it might benefit from a severe pruning. I would cut it to about 4 feet tall and reshape it as it grows to keep the canopy lower to make picking easier.

What an amazing tree!

Hi,
I would let 4 or 6 stems grow on the trunk, and shorten the tree. I would select stems at 1' or 2' of height.
I don't want to use a ladder for fruit picking.
I would try to clean/remove the area where the nest was.
Of course, if you're in a hot climate, and use the tree for shade, you may want to keep some parts of the canopy a bit longer.

it is a wonderful tree :)
hey sweet thank you Jd!