I wanted this to branch, as it was getting a bit taller than I wanted for a SIP, and the results are just as expected.  A fig appeared during this time as well.  Look how beautiful the red-accented leaves are!

 

    Looking good, Frank...I just pinched the tips of all my trees yesterday, not so much for branching, but for increased fig production, as the tree will not be exerting all that energy to produce additional new foliage...good luck with your trees, and have a great harvest of figs.

Thank you Vince.  I hope you get plenty of figs this year too.

Very lush looking tree Frank. I've been pinching my tees like crazy this spring ! 

Frank is yours a vigorous grower as others have reported?

Travis,

It's not as vigorous as some of my other varieties, but it could have been because of a slow start after transferring pots this spring.  It's doing very well otherwise.

Pinch, pinch pinch. Thanks for sharing your success Frank! That's what I enjoy about perusing this Forum often. Always reminds of something else to check. My pinched trees exhibit equal results.

The new growth is very beautiful on your Salem Dark, Frank. The plant looks super healthy too. Have you tasted SD yet? I've wondered about that variety.

Gary,

I haven't tasted Salem Dark yet, but I've heard very good things about it.  This year is very exciting for me, as I'm hoping to taste a bunch of varieties I've been growing since last year, including RdB, MBVS, Preto, and Longue d'Aout.  I'm taking a couple of small trips in July and late August and I'm worried that will be when these babies are ripe!  ;)

Same thing happened to me on my Chicago Hardy - 3 new branches and 2 figs!

Great job Frank!! I, also have a "Salem Dark" that I grew from a cutting, Already, is a pretty nice plant. It was not vigorous for me.

Thanks for Posting!!  :)

Frank, that looks almost identical to my Hardy Chicago. I've been pinching it and it is both branching and putting on figs like crazy.