Hi...I'm new here :o) I'm interested in talking to someone about pruning my fig tree. I've had the tree for 4 years, but it's actually almost 100 years old. I don't really know where to begin.

welcome!

What questions do you have? Can you tell us what variety you have or post pictures of the fruit, meat/pulp and what the dominant leaf shapes are? Thanks!

A 100 year old tree that needs pruning? I would like to see the tree!!! The whole tree, can you get a picture of that? 

If you guys are on FB you can see my tree! Go to "Figs on the Porch". Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Figs-on-the-Porch/227627310604903
I found out yesterday that pruning the tree won't bring in more fruit, that it's more about keeping it's size in check so you can still pick it. I have Celeste figs :o)

This are not my words but what fig experts say, if that tree was mine it sure as heck would not get pruned..We have a good friend that gives us free reign over his 40+ year old Celeste, it has never been pruned, and my Wife picked over 1500 (that's right, fifteen hundred) figs off of it this year in our most drought stricken weather since they started keeping records, 116 years ago...Below is what they say.

Perfect! Thank you Figluvah! I'm going to go read the link you sent.
What's the difference btwn Celeste and Alma?

Porch

I never thought of that! So far our tree has not caused any problems. Here in Savannah, Ga we have crawl spaces under the house... so I don't see it causing a foundation problem. Now..as far as our plumbing goes?? I do have to use root killer in the spring and fall. This doesn't seem to bother our tree.

Great sites Luvah! Thank you Jon!

Cecil, After looking at the site you sent me...I'm sure I have a Celeste. Although... the Alma fig is very similar. It looks more round to me.

@ Porch,

I can get a cross section of my figs tomorrow, but for now I have these....

Figuvah echoes my thoughts. If the tree has gained the ripe old age of 100 it is probably doing fine on it's own and should be allowed to carry on. If on the other hand it is becoming obtrusive to you, a light pruning will likely not do much harm provided you keep it well watered.Only reason to prune at this point would likely be if it is obtrusive to you in any way.

I've never watered my tree. It's so big I can only imagine what my water bill would be! lol! Do you fertilize a tree this big?

Hard to tell from those photos?

It's official! I am not going to prune the fig tree! I'm going to prune everything else around it!

Same idea, at 100 it probably has no need for fertilizer. I am guessing it has a big enough root system to get at whatever nutrients are in the ground and there must be some as it is obviously a successsful tree. Good choice, prune the surrounding stuff I like that!!!

Porch,

Ahhh... I have one main crop only.

Thanks BLB. I thought that maybe by fertilizing I might have figs longer than 3-4 weeks. Is there anything that can make your season last longer?

Extra fert. will not stretch you fig season! If anything it will cause less figs, I don't think I would fertilize that tree at all....But that is just my thinking!

Eww.. we don't want that! Thanks for all your help! My next plan is to order a White Triana!

LOL yeah you can extend your season by growing more figs!! Different varieties that produce early and late. I think you may be getting hooked!!

Oh I'm hooked alright! I have space for 3 more trees. I'm now going to research which will be my 3 best choices.