Prune a Standard Fig Tree

A standard ficus or fig tree (Ficus species) is a fig tree that has been grown in a pot and trained to create a classic "ball on a stick" look. Most fig trees make excellent standard plant subjects because they are hardy, are not fussed about being bound in a container and can tolerate low water levels. The only one to avoid turning into a standard ficus, however, is the fruiting fig tree (Ficus carica).

Steps

 * 1) Assess which branches have grown out of the standard shape (ball shape). A common problem is branching out, causing a fan or vase shape to form instead of the characteristic ball shape sought from a standard.
 * 2) Cut back all of the branches on the standard by a half to two-thirds. While this does count as severe pruning, the fig tree can cope with this and it will regenerate new, vigorous growth quickly.
 * 3) Deal with the roots. Roots should also be cut back periodically, especially with the larger fig trees.
 * 4) Continue to trim the standard fig regularly. The aim is to reshape it into a ball and then to maintain this shape. If maintained, you will avoid having to put the fig through such a severe pruning again.
 * 5) Compost the prunings or mulch them.

Tips

 * If you need to remove any branches, do so during the "severe" pruning stage and train the ball as well as you can to cover any scars.
 * The Ficus species can tolerate shady environments well, making standard fig trees suitable for door entrances, etc., that are shaded. Ficus benjamina is a good choice for heavy shading, including for indoor areas.

Warnings

 * Avoid pruning a standard fig tree on hot days; the leaves that are exposed by pruning might be easily burned.
 * Avoid overwatering standard figs; too much water can turn the leaves yellow. Use the finger test - if the soil is moist when you push in a finger to about 2.5 cm depth, it doesn't need watering; if dry, it does.

Things You'll Need

 * Clean gardening snips or shears
 * Gardening gloves (optional)