End of Season & Figs are Forming: Will They Ripen? How to Fix it
Late-season fruiting is a common problem faced by fig growers, as figs require about 90 days to ripen from the time they appear on the tree. Many fig trees start producing fruit too late in the growing season, leaving the figs without enough time to ripen before the first frost. While choosing early-ripening varieties can help, all fig trees tend to form fruit at the same time, regardless of when they ripen. The real issue often lies in tree health and pruning practices. Trees that are unhealthy, improperly pruned, or not protected from the cold tend to delay fruit production. Those in colder regions, especially in zone 8 or below, must focus on winter protection to ensure the tree survives and behaves properly in future seasons.
Proper pruning is critical to ensuring that a fig tree produces fruit on time. Rather than trimming branches back, fig trees benefit from thinning cuts that remove entire branches while preserving the top third of the remaining ones, where fruiting buds are located. When winterizing, smaller branches should be bent down and staked to the ground, while larger branches are removed entirely to maintain the tree’s structure and protect it from cold damage. This method, combined with ongoing winter protection, helps the tree slow its growth and focus energy on fruiting. By following these practices, fig growers can expect healthier trees and improved fruit production in subsequent seasons.
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Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia
Introduction (0:00):
A common issue with fig trees is introduced—figs forming too late in the season to ripen in time.
Ripening time (0:27):
Figs need about 90 days from the pea-sized stage to ripen.
Late fruit formation (1:02):
Some fig varieties ripen faster, but all form fruit at the same time of year.
Tree health (1:32):
Fruit production delay could be due to unhealthy or poorly pruned trees.
Winter protection (1:32):
Winter protection is essential for trees in zone 8 or below.
Pruning methods (2:06):
Pruning should involve thinning cuts, not heading cuts, to preserve fruiting buds.
Pruning impact (2:41):
Proper pruning preserves the top third of branches where fruiting buds grow.
Winter tree care (3:11):
Bending smaller branches to the ground and removing thicker ones helps protect the tree during winter.
Thinning large branches (4:11):
Remove large branches at the base to reduce tree height and preserve fruiting potential.
Pruning with a saw (4:36):
Use a saw to cut branches as low as possible to maintain tree health.
Slow growth and future fruiting (5:10): Proper care and winter protection lead to slower growth and higher chances of fruiting in the next season.
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