Here you can see an unusual training and pruning method of a fig tree. In my opinion, It resembles that one used in London plane trees (Platanus acerifolia):

The photo is of the following link:

http://www.plantesdusud.com/spip.php?article807

This method is named in french tête de chat (head of cat) and it is used in some ornamental trees like plane trees and lindens.

Here you are an explanation in french

It is called "pollarding". We used to see it done with fruitless mulberries. Full size trees could add about 10-15' in a few months.

http://www.passionfortrees.co.uk/html/pollard.html

Thank you Jon, I didn't know the name in english.