Do Figs Grow on Old Wood?

Figs produce fruit on both old and new wood, but the answer depends on the fig variety. Most common fig trees (like Brown Turkey or Celeste) fruit primarily on new wood (current season's growth). Some fig varieties produce a breba crop on old wood from the previous year, which is why understanding your tree's type matters for pruning and harvest timing.

What Does "Old Wood" Mean for Fig Trees?

"Old wood" refers to branches that grew during the previous growing season. These branches are one year old or older, with bark that has hardened and turned gray or brown. In contrast, "new wood" is the green, flexible growth that emerges in spring and summer.

For fig trees, the term matters because different parts of the tree produce fruit at different times. Some figs develop on last year's wood, while others only form on the current year's growth. If you prune incorrectly, you might accidentally remove branches that would have produced your early-season crop.

Do All Figs Grow on Old Wood?

No. There are two main types of fig crops:

• Breba crop: These figs grow on old wood (branches from the previous year). They appear in late spring or early summer.
• Main crop: These figs grow on new wood (this year's growth). They ripen in late summer or fall.

Most common fig varieties produce a main crop only on new wood. Some varieties produce both a breba crop and a main crop. A few varieties produce only a breba crop, but that is rare.

Which Fig Varieties Produce Fruit on Old Wood?

Fig varieties that produce a breba crop (on old wood) include:

• Desert King
• White Madeira
• Lattarula (also called Italian Honey)
• Violette de Bordeaux
• Brooklyn White
• Marseille (sometimes)

Varieties that produce only a main crop on new wood include:

• Brown Turkey
• Celeste
• Kadota
• Black Mission
• Adriatic

When buying a fig tree, check the tag or ask the nursery whether your variety produces breba fruit. This will guide your pruning and expectations.

How Does Pruning Affect Fig Fruit Production?

Pruning is the biggest factor in whether you get fruit from old wood or new wood. If you cut off all the old wood branches in winter, you will lose any potential breba crop. But you might still get a main crop on new growth.

Here is the key rule: Prune for the crop you want to maximize.

• If your fig tree produces only a main crop (on new wood), you can prune hard in late winter. This encourages lots of new growth and large main crop figs.
• If your fig tree produces both breba and main crops, prune lightly. Remove only dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Leave the old wood intact to support the early breba fruit.

Pruning at the wrong time can remove fruit buds. For breba-producing figs, prune right after the breba harvest (early summer) rather than in winter.

When Should You Prune Fig Trees for the Best Crop?

Timing matters. For most fig trees, the best time to prune is late winter while the tree is dormant (before new growth starts). But that rule changes if you want to keep old wood for brebas.

• Late winter (dormant): Best for hard pruning of varieties that fruit only on new wood. You will remove all old wood and stimulate lots of new growth.
• After breba harvest (early summer): Best for varieties that produce a breba crop. Prune immediately after picking the early figs so the tree has the rest of summer to grow new wood for next year's breba crop.
• Light summer pruning: Can be done anytime to remove suckers or dead wood without affecting fruit production much.

Never prune a fig tree in fall. New growth stimulated by fall pruning will be killed by frost, wasting the tree's energy.

How to Tell If Your Fig Tree Will Produce on Old Wood

Look for these clues:

• Check last year's growth: In early spring, examine the tips and nodes of one-year-old branches. If you see small, round bumps (fig embryos), your tree may produce a breba crop on old wood.
• Know your variety: Look up your fig tree's name online or ask the nursery. This is the most reliable method.
• Observe your tree over two seasons: If you get ripe figs in June or early July (before the main summer heat), those are brebas on old wood. If your figs only ripen in August or September, they are on new wood.

Note: Even breba-producing varieties may not always set a full breba crop. Cold winters, poor pollination, or drought can cause the early figs to drop.

What Are Breba Figs and Why Do They Matter?

Breba figs are the first crop of the season, developing from buds formed on last year's wood. They appear on branches that grew the previous year. Brebas are often larger than main crop figs, but sometimes have a milder flavor.

Brebas matter because they give you an earlier harvest, often 4 to 6 weeks before the main crop. For home growers in cooler climates, the breba crop can be the only reliable harvest if the main crop doesn't ripen before frost. Varieties like Desert King are popular in the Pacific Northwest precisely because their breba crop ripens early on old wood.

Brebas also tend to have a higher sugar content due to longer ripening time, but they may be less juicy than main crop figs. The texture is often firmer.

Simple Checklist for Maximizing Your Fig Harvest

Common Mistakes When Pruning Fig Trees

• Mistaking old wood for dead wood: Old wood with gray bark can look dead, but it may have live buds. Scratch the bark with your thumbnail; if you see green underneath, the branch is alive and may hold breba fruit.
• Hard pruning a breba-producing fig: If you cut back all old wood in winter, you eliminate the entire breba crop. You'll only get main crop figs later, if the season is long enough.
• Pruning too late in spring: After the tree leafs out, pruning removes leaves that produce energy for fruit. Prune before buds swell, or wait until after breba harvest.
• Leaving too much old wood: For main-crop-only figs, old wood shades new growth and reduces fruit production. Remove it to open up the canopy.

Can You Force a Fig Tree to Fruit on Old Wood?

Not really. The ability to produce breba figs on old wood is genetic. You cannot turn a Brown Turkey (which fruits only on new wood) into a Desert King (which fruits on old wood). However, you can encourage more breba production on varieties that already have the ability.

To maximize breba figs on old wood:

• Keep branches healthy: Old wood that is weak or damaged produces fewer fruit buds. Prune out only the weakest old branches.
• Protect from winter cold: Hard frost can kill the buds on old wood. In cold climates, wrap the tree or plant it in a sheltered spot.
• Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen: Too much nitrogen pushes leafy growth at the expense of fruit buds on old wood. Use a balanced fertilizer like 8-8-8 or a specific fruit tree formula.

One trick: some growers bend old branches horizontally. This slows sap flow and may encourage more fruit buds to form. But results vary.

What Tools Do You Need for Proper Fig Pruning?

Good tools make the job easier and prevent damage to the tree. For fig pruning, you will need:

• Sharp bypass pruners: Use these for branches up to ¾ inch thick. Clean cuts heal faster and reduce disease risk. Check out popular bypass pruners on Amazon.
• Loppers: For branches up to 1½ inches thick, use long-handled loppers for leverage.
• Pruning saw: For thick old branches, a curved pruning saw works well.
• Disinfectant: Wipe blades with rubbing alcohol between trees to avoid spreading disease.

If your fig tree is young or you have only a few branches, a good pair of bypass pruners is all you need. For larger trees, consider a lopper with ratcheting mechanism for easier cutting.

Does Fertilizer Affect Growth on Old Wood?

Yes, fertilizer can shift where the tree puts its energy. A fig tree that gets too much nitrogen will push lots of green new wood but may fail to set breba fruit on old wood. For varieties that produce on old wood, use a fertilizer with moderate nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium. Look for a fruiting tree fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio like 5-10-10 or 4-12-8.

Apply fertilizer in early spring as buds swell. For breba-producing figs, give a light second feeding right after the breba harvest to support the main crop. A slow-release fruit tree fertilizer can simplify the schedule. Always water after applying.

How to Identify Old Wood on Your Fig Tree

Here's a quick visual guide:

• Color: Old wood has brown, gray, or mottled bark. New wood is green or light tan and smooth.
• Texture: Old wood feels rough and may have peeling bark. New wood is flexible and smooth.

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