Hello,

I've moved house and I have a fig tree.  I already new the house and remembered 6 years ago it was dripping with massive fruits.

It's a proper mess now - scores of small branches reaching down to the ground, overcrowded with the main branches only being a third bigger than all the others.

It's spring here in Devon, still not warm at 12 to 13 degrees in the day - the fig buds are just about opening now, it is also covered in a multitude of tiny hard figs about the size of a pen lid from last year.

I would love to prune it in the next two weeks - can I have some advice please - picture attached.  

Prune to desired height , prune so branch does not cross over each other , prune branches that grow in toward center, prune low branches to ground, prune the very long branches that are dipping down and knock of last years figs.

Thats a start and don't be alarmed as fig trees grow back limbs and pruning will be a yearly thing
to keep tree in check .

Also make sure fingers are not in the way as that really really hurts when pruning.

Hi Marcusdevon,
It all depends of the space you want to let to the tree.

I would give her a V shape so that the branches and fruits do not touch the dirt.
As for height, I would raise my hand and cut anything over that height for easiness of harvest.
Did you already start pruning ? Photos after the haircut ?
 I wouldn't reduce the width of the tree .

it being a fig.. i would prune it to my desired shape. only thing is i noticed that you are in sunny england. not sure how well the fig tree will grow there. looking at the pix i assume it grows just fine. i grow my figs in containers. this winter was my first major root pruning. so i cut off all the branches and left just the main trunk on my tree. now it's putting on new branches. fig does grow like a weed, and main crop will set on the new growth, so prune away till you are satisfied.