How to Manage Pests

First-year pruning

Trees are normally cut back to a height of 24 to 30 inches above the ground after planting. If any side shoots are present after heading, they should be cut back also to a single bud. Remove obvious crossing limbs and suckers. The young fig trees should be trained to an open center or vase system. Train the scaffold limbs to form a wide angle. Upright scaffolds with narrow angles tend to break or split away as the fruit becomes heavy.