Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Prune Figs for Disease
How to Prune Figs for Disease. Although figs (Ficus carica) thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 9, they are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Figs are vulnerable to many types of leaf spot, stem canker and blight. These diseases can cause branches to die and may even be severe enough to kill the tree. Pruning is...
Although figs (Ficus carica) thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 9, they are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Figs are vulnerable to many types of leaf spot, stem canker and blight. These diseases can cause branches to die and may even be severe enough to kill the tree. Pruning is one of the best ways to control and prevent disease. With pruning, dead and diseased branches can be removed, and the tree can be opened for better air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Things You'll Need
Lopping shears
Bleach
Pruning saw
Plastic trash bag
Household oil
Prune diseased, damaged or dead branches less than 1 inch in diameter at least 8 inches into live, healthy tissue with lopping shears. Make cuts just above a lateral branch or bud at a 45-degree angle facing out toward the lateral branch or bud. Sterilize pruning tools between each cut by soaking the blades in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 15 seconds.
Remove branches larger than 1 inch in diameter with a three-cut method. Make the first cut 1 to 2 feet from the trunk and underneath the branch with a pruning saw, cutting about halfway into the branch. Cut into the top of the branch about 3 inches past the first cut, causing the branch to break off. Make a final cut 1/4 of an inch beyond the branch collar, making sure to cut into live, healthy tissue.
Prune branches that block out sunlight or air circulation in the center of the tree back to a lateral branch, removing them 1/2 of an inch above an outward-facing bud at a slant.
Dispose of any removed plant material in a plastic trash bag, along with any fallen leaves. Sterilize pruning tools in the solution, and wipe the blades with a cloth dampened in household oil.
