When I planted this guy back in April, the spot got sun up until 2 pm, then again for an hour or two before sunset.

That was then.  Now it gets sunlight till just before noon, and is in the shade of the pine tree (in the background to the right),  for the rest of the day.  I'm thinking that's not enough sun to ripen figs or to be a very healthy tree.

If I move it 15 feet forward (along the fence at right), it will get sun for most of the day.   Or...since it is the anchor for my hedge...I could leave it where it is and espalier a couple of branches along the fence.  This is a black mission tree, with the potential to get huge, but I don't know if it's a good idea to Espalier in one direction for that far. 

Suggestions?

We golf a lot, and I've seen dozens of trees where limbs partially broke, hung on, and grow sideways, making the entire tree lopsided.  They've been that way for years, and seem fine!

I doubt you will have a problem!

Suzi

6 hours of your sunlight is probably like 8-10 hours of sunlight up north.   I wouldn't move them.  It might be better for them in summer when it's so hot, so they get afternoon shade.  

At the same time, you could start another tree from a cutting where you want to move it.   That way you will have the best of both worlds.   
 

This one does just fine with much less...AND it faces North

Ya but....is it a Black mission?  Does it put out any fruit?  And does that fruit get ripe?  (Three "yes" answers and I'll leave it be).

Thanks Ruben

I have had trees in full shade all day, and know of several nearby trees just the same.  They ripen just fine and taste just as awesome. 

Don't buy into any hype about sunlight.  I know there are probably people will swear you must have at least 4-6 hours for "proper" ripening... this hasn't been my experience.    I may not have varieties that require this, but I have several awesome tasting varieties and many have ripened figs in full shade (last year), still some of the best figs I've ever tasted.

Dave,

Mission is not special in regards to light requirement. Here is a cutting I took last May 19, 2011. It was a clip-and-run ;-) . I'm betting it did/does just fine.

Thank you Suzi, Jason, and Ruben.    I had been leaning towards moving it.    We do get plenty of heat here, even in the shade.  Our summers are long and hot, with temps in the mid 90's into the low 100's for weeks on end.

It's all ready endured a hundred mile road trip in the back of my pick up, three months in the garage, a later transplanting, and then a setback due to a late freeze this spring.   I think it's had enough.  I will leave it alone.