By Jeff Kanters, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

In February the Cocoa Cinnamon Demonstration Garden team was planning preparation of all the containers for the upcoming growing season. One task included the dormant pruning of the prized Little Miss Figgy fig tree located in one of the large planters. Deborah Pilkington, Master Gardener volunteer and leader for the Cocoa Cinnamon Demonstration Garden, reached out to me for guidance and assistance in winter pruning the fig. In preparation, the team re-familiarized themselves with the maintenance a fig requires, including general growth habits, and culture.

(Left) Master Gardener volunteers Jeff Kanters and Deborah Pilkington in February of 2025 examining and pruning the fig variety “Little Miss Figgy” (Ficus carica ‘MAJOAM‘), which grows in our urban container demonstration garden at Cocoa Cinnamon in downtown Durham. (Right) In July 2024, Little Miss Figgy produced delicious fruit during its third growing season. (Image credit: Allie Mullin; Deborah Pilkington)

Fig Characteristics and Growing Conditions

Figs or common fig trees, known as Ficus carica, are a woody, deciduous, multi-stemmed, spreading trees or shrubs grown widely throughout the United States. The plant is native to the southwestern Asia and eastern Mediterranean regions, known for producing the coveted delicious fruits or figs. Fig trees have large, hand-shaped multiple lobed leaves, almost tropical like. Some varieties can grow vigorously and become quite large, often reaching heights of up to 60 feet in some regions of the world. However, in the southeastern United States, the maximum heights are typically 10 to 30 feet tall. As with the many varieties of figs available, there are differences in growth habits and in cold hardiness.

Even though some varieties may be more cold hardy than others, most figs generally do the best in
warmer climates such as the subtropical southeast. Figs also need full sun (6 – 8 hours per day) for
optimal growth, health, and fruiting. Some varieties of figs produce two crops during the season. The first crop, called the breba crop, is produced on old wood and reaches maturity in the late spring. A second crop is produced on the new growth of the season and tends to be the heavier and tastier crop that reaches maturity by the late summer to fall.

If you need encouragement to try growing figs, note this: they an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients. One medium size fig (approximately 50 grams) has 37 calories, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.5 grams of dietary fiber, which is slightly more than an equivalent amount of banana fruit.

Little Missy Figgy (Ficus carica ‘MAJOAM’)  is a fig tree cultivar, specifically a dwarf variety known for its compact size and small, sweet, edible figs. This tree typically reaches a height of 4 – 6 feet. This fig also produces two crops of figs per year, one in spring and another in fall. It can be grown in USDA Zones 5 – 10. Given the smaller size of this fig tree, it is attractive to many homeowners to grow and manage if they have a more limited garden space. And as we are proving in our urban demonstration garden, this fig can also grow in a large container.

Little Miss Figgy’s first breba crop. (Image credit: Deborah Pilkington)

Of special interest, while some figs rely on the tiny fig wasp to pollinate to produce fruit, other figs, such as Little Miss Figgy, do not require wasps for pollination and fruit production. These varieties are termed parthenocarpic, meaning they can produce fruit without pollination. Most commercial figs are grown without wasps. Light pruning in winter is usually necessary for figs to maintain an attractive and manageable open shape, and size.

Steps to Winter Pruning Little Miss Figgy

Inspection

The team inspected the fig onsite, and here’s what we found. Little Miss Figgy, while leafless in February, displayed many unruly branches and suckers that had grown up from the base or lower limbs the previous year. Higher up, side branches were found crossing over other branches, growing inward and upward in haphazard fashion from seven main trunks, a few of the trunks crossing over and rubbing on one another.

Pruning Process and Materials

(Left) Here is a “before” photo of the plant in February prior to late winter pruning. Note the sprawling suckers and crossing branches visible while the plant is in its dormant stage. (Right) After the pruning makeover, Little Miss Figgy is all set for spring and summer growth and fruit production. (Image credit Allie Mullin)

The team designed a 5-point action plan for pruning:

1. Select the main core trunks to serve as structure. This would involve removing those trunks
   crossing over other trunks.
2. Remove one trunk with a few of the outward branches that were growing out into the seating
   area next to the fig.
3. Remove all the previous season’s sucker growth from the base to direct energy to main trunks.
4. Open the interior up by removing all upward, inward and downward growing branches.
5. Leave the remaining four trunks alone without any heading cuts at the top as each displayed a
   shortened dwarfing growth that would limit further elongation.
   

Tools the team used for the job:

• Gloves
• Small to medium sized crescent-shaped pruning saw
• Hand loppers
• Standard hand pruning shears or battery-operated electric sheers

The Results

The team completed the pruning according the plan. As Little Miss Figgy began leafing out in April, we nipped off new green suckers that developed at the base. This allowed the plant to direct energy to the main trunks and canopy for fruit development. A new and improved Little Miss Figgy was ready for the season ahead.

Little Miss Figgy in April 2025 following the winter pruning. (Image credit: Jeff Kanters)

Resources and Additional Information:

• Read more about Little Miss Figgy at our Cocoa Cinnamon Demonstration Garden in an earlier blog post by Extension Master Gardener volunteer and program leader Deborah Pilkington:  https://wp.me/p2nIr1-50Z
• NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox:
  https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-carica/
• Figs without wasps: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/figs-without-wasps
• Home garden figs: https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C945&title=home-garden-figs
• Fig Production Guide: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/fig-production-guide/
• Figs: https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2019/08/figs/

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