I have 3 in ground trees for many years, the last few years I was lazy and didn’t protect them.  They died to the ground but regrew multiple shoots and produced a lot of figs (many didn’t ripen).

Each tree has about 25 vertical shoots, anywhere from 1” to 3/8” thick and 3’ to 8’ high, all coming from the very low lateral main truck of about 2.5” thickness. 

I intend to cover by keeping about 5 long shoots, cutting the others to about 12” and burying with leaves covered by a tarp. 

My question is would it be better to totally eliminate all but about 5 shoots?  Would this produce the most figs next year? Thanks

Five is what the good professor at Petals from the Past suggests.  What variety is this?

Hi Ray
I would get rid of everything except for those 5 branches and then next summer, cut out all new suckers that come up and only concentrate on those 5 branches. 
You can either let those 5 grow out or pinch every 5 leaves. I would recommend this and give your tree a whole new look. 
Lots of info on pinching here. You will be amazed how this method works, especially in Queens !!

@ bamafig - they are both white unknowns that I have in ground for about 10 years, (this is the first year the raccoons have started eating the  lower figs)

@coop951 - that's what I will do, I'll keep 5 shoots that are about 6', bend them over, prune off everything else and cover with leaves.  I already put a 3' wire fence around them and had my landscaper give me all of my neighbors leaves that I'll use to fill up to about 3'

thanks 5 is the lucky number!