I have a dilemma...single trunk tree vs bush. I am pruning for the first time and it is basically just down to personal preference, but I feel like it would be great to see examples of really healthy, well pruned trees trained both ways (wont turn down pics of espalier, etc). Pruning is definitely an art that can enhance the health and productivity of a tree. I'd like to see what pruning you all have done that you're proud of :).

I know there are surely many people on this forum who are gifted with the pruning shears! If you have pictures of a favorite (pot or in ground, doesn't matter!), well balanced, and beautiful tree that you pruned into all its figgy glory, please share!

P.S. I am sooo tired of winter and will be using pics of fig trees as my substitute for sunlight. Thanks guys!

Hey Jenny. 

What zone are you in? This will usually determine if you can do single trunk or not. I'd say zone 7 would be about the coldest zone to try the single trunk. Guess it depends on how extensive your protection methods are too though.

In zone 6 I might get by with single trunk for a few years but, almost without doubt, I would eventually get frozen back to the ground. Last winter was one of those killer winters for us.

Having said that, there is much that can be done with fig trees that most other fruit trees may not tolerate. Being new you might not have seen some of these links yet:  

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/espalier-fig-project-japanese-method-7094805?pid=1284427995#post1284427995

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/japanesestepover-espalier-orchard-the-adventure-begins-6297347?&trail=50

http://www.hawaiifruit.net/Figs-Japan.htm

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/japanese-fig-culture-some-links-7128063?pid=1284717700#post1284717700

Tons of great info and plenty of pics too. Should help get you through the winter :~).

Hi BrightGreenNurse,

Ask your tree how she wants to grow. - you can't force a single trunk to a multitrunk - My lda is single trunk, and is stubborn to hold on to that shape.
Do you have a pic of yours ?
For me, I want "smallish trees" - under 2 meters/7' of height -, so I want 3 to 7 stems for each tree (or planting area) and I get  them to span.
I tried to let more stems, but the shading from the bigger was too strong .
In which usda zone are you ?
Do you want smaller or bigger trees ?

I found this thread really helpful one year ago when I was thinking about how to prune my 1 year old trees:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/pruning-and-training-figs-tree-or-bush-form-6388743?&trail=50

Those trees were mostly whips about 3 feet tall with very little branching.  I decided I wanted an open vase shape so I truncated them about 18 inches above soil level to get 3-4 side branches.  They generally turned out very well but the one that turned out the best, a Sal's-EL/Gene, is wrapped and cannot be photographed until Spring.

Thank you for the replies and I apologize for taking so long to respond! My toddler started walking and I have been pretty constantly at his heels for the last few days!

Saxonfig- I will definitely keep your advice i mind when I plant my first trees in the ground
Jdsfrance- My tree is in a pot and actually, bush form will likely be better (I want the little ones to be able to reach easily). I really liked the suggestion to listen to the tree...I think she looks like she wants to be a bush. I'm in zone 6b/7a and I'll see if I can get a chance to drag the pot out to the driveway tomorrow for a pic!

Rewton- thanks for including that thread link!