This has probably been discussed before, but for the novitiate, can someone discuss the pros and cons of keeping one main axial (tree form) versus several (bush form)? Does it depend on the variety? Does it matter if the fig is potted versus in-ground?

Dale, I'm fairly new to figs as well but based on what I have read the bush form sounds like the way to go for your (and mine as well) zone. Its easier to cover and protect if planted outside and more manageable to keep in a pot.

 Peter

Peter,

  Thanks. You are perceptive: Mine are alll in pots. I was thinking the bush form will  help stabilize the pots and bring the fruit down to  picking level.

Hi Mus, inground in cold climate need protection and usually grown in bush form in case of soil level dieback there are more than one cane for possible regrowth.
With bush form you get larger crop of figs according to my math more branches more figs.

Tree form is opposite of the above.
I prefer tree form mostly but not all of mine purely from the beauty standpoint growing in my containers as i have enough plants to bear fruit for just 1 or 2 family members to eat.

That happened to my Brown Turkey last year. Froze back because I didn't wrap it right, then set up several leads. It gave me no figs. I didn't know if that was because of the die-back or because of the season.

There are some fig pruning options outlined in The Incredible Edible Fig.  I hope that helps.

Ingevald,
 Thank you for directing me to The Incredible Edible Fig. that site ansered a lot of questions for. Here's another: I read somewhere that fig trees begin to lose their productivity after ten to fifteen years. Does pruning delay this loss?