Step by step guide showing how to renovate an old overgrown fig tree
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2. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Cut back all the tangled branches using a pair of loppers and saw
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4. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Once the tangled branches have been cut back it is easier to see and cut out a lot of the old stems. Mark the ones you want to keep with some chalk
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4. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Once the tangled branches have been cut back it is easier to see and cut out a lot of the old stems. Mark the ones you want to keep with some chalk
![38321 38321](https://gardenphotolibrary.com/wp-content/gallery/renovating-an-old-fig-tree/cache/38321.jpg-nggid0102000005972-ngg0dyn-200x160x100-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
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3. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Once the tangled branches have been cut back it is easier to see and cut out a lot of the old stems
![38322 38322](https://gardenphotolibrary.com/wp-content/gallery/renovating-an-old-fig-tree/cache/38322.jpg-nggid0102000005973-ngg0dyn-200x160x100-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
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4. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Once the tangled branches have been cut back it is easier to see and cut out a lot of the old stems. Mark the ones you want to keep with some chalk
![38320 38320](https://gardenphotolibrary.com/wp-content/gallery/renovating-an-old-fig-tree/cache/38320.jpg-nggid0102000005974-ngg0dyn-200x160x100-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
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3. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Once the tangled branches have been cut back it is easier to see and cut out a lot of the old stems
![38325 38325](https://gardenphotolibrary.com/wp-content/gallery/renovating-an-old-fig-tree/cache/38325.jpg-nggid0102000005975-ngg0dyn-200x160x100-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
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5. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Dig around the base of the fig to reveal the many rooted stems which need to be removed
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7. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. You may need to use a saw to untangle some of the larger or twisted stems from the base of the fig tree
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6. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Remove the smaller unwanted stems from the base of the fig tree by pulling them away from the main stem
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Permanet dmaged caused by using wire ties to a tree branch cutting into the bark embedding inside and healing over
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8. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Clean up the base of the trrunk removing as many of the stems as you want.
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9. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Treat the bas of the trunk with a wound heal to help prevent any diseases entering the tree
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10. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. The remaining two stems will form the basis for training into a fan trained fig tree
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11. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Cut the main stems back to between about 30-50cm using a pruning saw. Make a cut above where you want the final cut to be to prevent the trunk from tearing.
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12. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. The cut stem will need to be trimmed to get a smooth finish
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13. Pruning and renovating an old overgrown fig tree. Trim the excess wood from the trunk to make a smooth surface.