All my in ground figs died back to the ground or close to it. But praise God they are all alive and showing green growth. I am not going to cut back the dead looking tops yet, but it does appear all new growth will be starting real close to the ground.

With that in mind, how should I pinch/train this new growth? Should I pinch this new growth at 6 or 7 leaves like I usually do? I want to maximize fruit production while starting new structure.

Any suggestions or experience anyone can share with me?

This Southern California lady isn't really qualified to help you, but when I want more figs, I pinch at 5 leaves.  It appears I have a tree some members would like cuttings from, and it's destined to grow huge.  This year, I am pinching for sprouts to make into cuttings to send next year. 

Maybe you should take more cuttings so you can insulate those trees with hay or whatever you guys in cold climates do.  Member's here may love your cuttings, and if they are gonna die back anyway, why not?

Good luck with your figs!

Suzi

Suzi your right they going to die back anyway. Any how. How do i pinch back to get more figs? Do tell. I live in hot louisiana just to let you know if it matters for this process

Richard, you just wait for 5 leaves, and pinch the growth tip.  NOW you have stopped the branch growth, so the fig puts out new side shoots with more figs. 

Suzi

As Suzi mentioned, simply cut/break/'pinch' the tip of the growing stem to halt growth, which forces lower nodes to shoot new branches.  For me, I begin pinching in early June, when growth is vigorous and the tree has lots of energy flowing.  I limit my growth to under 6' because they all die back every year anyway.  I do believe it helps produce more figs too.

Thanks Suzie and Frank. That is my plan. I will pinch from the beginning. If the winters keep being like the last few, my inground figs will die to the ground each year, so I need to find the best way to maximize their production in that environment. I tried protecting them 2 years ago, but it really did not help much.

I am going to keep 2-3 in big containers and shuffle them in and out of a shed, just so I have a couple with earlier growth. But the majority of my figs will be inground.

Mine all died back to very close to ground level as well  If you pinch at five leaves or so, won't your figs almost be touching the ground?

I'm confused. If I pinch a tip at 6 leaves. What exactly happens to that branch? Will it get more branches? Does anyone have a pic so I can see what happens? This is only my second year with figs. My trees are all small. I'm just hoping for a few fruits this year on my little trees.

Tifany, it isn't rocket science.  You pinch. You stop the main branch from growing, so it sends out side branches with more figs. 

Suzi

[QUOTE=Yeehova]Mine all died back to very close to ground level as well  If you pinch at five leaves or so, won't your figs almost be touching the ground?[/QUOTE]

For potted trees, I'll let them grow about 18" before I start pinching.  For ground trees, I start around 4' tall.  Really just depends how they're growing.  No rules, really.  Just ensure they're actively growing or it may stunt a weak tree and take longer for shoots to grow out.

[QUOTE=Tiffanyp8904]I'm confused. If I pinch a tip at 6 leaves. What exactly happens to that branch? Will it get more branches? Does anyone have a pic so I can see what happens? This is only my second year with figs. My trees are all small. I'm just hoping for a few fruits this year on my little trees. [/QUOTE]

Hi Tiffany,

Here is an example of a 'pinched' tip.  Although I had removed the top, it grew another one at the tip, but at a slight angle.  It also grew a branch just below.

 

Another result of pinched tips.  You can see several new shoots.

 

 

 

Also, when you do this, the tip will 'bleed' white milky sap.  No worries, as it will naturally heal itself within minutes and harden over.

Awesome pics. Thank you for helping me understand.