Topics

What to do about odd shape

I noticed that a fig tree we have in the backyard (facing south, at the back of the house), now has a super weird shape and I'm not sure what to do. The tree sort of spits off into weird directions instead of growing straight up. I am wondering if I could or should cut off a large part of it that is growing along the ground for two feet, before splitting into several different directions. There is another part that I think should maybe be the only part I keep. Although it oddly bends, for two feet, it at least then corrects itself and goes straight up. I think if I prune the rest of it off completely, maybe this will somewhat resemble a normal fig tree shape? It's like cutting off most of the tree, though, if I do that. I am posting photos. I am a new gardener, taking over an overgrown, older garden that was once beautiful, way back when.  This is in the northeast of the US. 

Photos will probably help get a quicker and more meaningful response.

Welcome to the site!

Then, pics it will be. Soon as it's daylight again. Thanks.

In the meantime, welcome to the forum and know that figs are very vigorous and forgiving.  What kind is it?  If you don't know post photos of the fruit - inside and out including the eye, and some photos of the different kinds of leaves and someone here may be able to tell you.  Tell us what the fruit is like if you've tried it.  Some here may hit you up for cuttings.  You can make a little $$ that way  :)

Thanks for the welcome!  ....Actually, I just tried to attach a photo, but I see it only accepts links, here, not attachments? Oh, well.

There is a way to upload photos to the forum, search on upload and you should find it.  I store mine online (Automatic upload from my cellphone usually) and post the link using the  7th icon from the left, including greyed out ones in the count.  The link has to end in .jpg or another supported photo format.  My link =https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2O5iHvAy8E8/UbJjqpoVTZI/AAAAAAAANHw/l-_WeifExTk/w586-h781-no/2013-06-07+17.21.28.jpg

(for variety)

Doesn't look like I am going to be able to upload the photos I took. So here's my description of the problem: Instead of looking like a tree, my fig tree looks like this: 1) One Tall, thin branch goes straight up EXCEPT that near the entry to the ground it is arched sideways. Picture someone's bowl-legs (but only one leg, of course). That's what the branch looks like. Bowled at the bottom, then straight up. That part of the tree is thin and is what I am thinking of keeping while I maybe prune ALL other branches off. 2) Near the base of that bowl-legged branch, extends a long branch that never goes up. Instead it goes sideways, along the ground two or three feet, THEN starts to grow upward again, and from that point has reached a height of three or four feet. 3) THAT branch that I just mentioned then splits off into two or three different directions and they go along the ground and then finally upward, about two feet up. The overall shape of the entire thing is somewhat like this: If you were to picture someone's GIANT hand, palm up, with just a few fingers. THAT'S what the tree looks like. ha. Weird, right? What I am guessing is that the tree was searching for sun so instead of going straight up, sent offshoots into various directions to figure out where the sun is, but never really found it. Think it's ok for me to pick the straightest, most normal looking branch to keep and chop off all the others? It's A LOT of growth to cut off, and the majority of the plant, really. Or should I just keep the absolutely crazy shape and see what happens? It has never born fruit. None of my figs did. This is the biggest and most successful, weird as it is. Deer completely ate the others. Do I have hope of obtaining this year's Odd Tree Award? haha (And all of this is rather thin, mind you. I'd say the thickest branch or stem is an inch or two in diameter, tops. Tallest part of the tree is the most straight part, which extends about five feet high).

Email me the photo and I'll upload it for you.

Reply Cancel
Subscribe Share Cancel