The Fig Tree Guy

Category: Pruning

  • Don’t Just Cut—Help the Tree Heal

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    When you prune a tree, it’s often said that you should seal the wound to protect it from future damage. While there are certain pruning cuts that, given time, will heal themselves naturally, many gardeners still believe in giving the tree a little extra help. Not too long ago I blogged about trees properly healing…

  • All about saws and teeth?

    All about saws and teeth?

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    Recently, I was reading a terrific online article about TPI (teeth per inch) because I need to stock up on blades for my newly acquired coping saw. (ref 1). Here is what I learned from this article. The number of TPI on a saw blade has a major impact on how it cuts: blades with…

  • Fig Cuttings with Character

    Fig Cuttings with Character

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    It’s late November here in Zone 6b (Mid-Hudson Valley, NY), and my fig trees have finally gone fully dormant—perfect timing for pruning. As always, trimming day means a bounty of cuttings, and I’m constantly on the lookout for ones that stand out in some special way. The thick cuttings are always my favorites—they root more…

  • Figs love to go dormant

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    Fig trees enter dormancy after they finish producing their main crop. Dormancy is their built-in survival mechanism—a way to conserve energy and protect themselves through the cold months. This quiet period ends only when temperatures rise again in spring (Ref 1). As I write this on November 17th, 2025, here in the Mid-Hudson Valley of…

  • Getting straw to winterize the potted fig trees

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    This coming week, I’ll be preparing my fig trees for winter, carefully wrapping and insulating them against the cold. To do this, I’ll need plenty of dry material. Along with the beautifully golden straw I recently purchased from a local source, I’ll also use the crisp, dry leaves I gathered from my own backyard.There are…

  • Correctly Pruning a Branch

    Correctly Pruning a Branch

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    by

    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    One of our favorite ways to unwind is by visiting the Orange County Arboretum, a peaceful haven where we can stroll through winding paths surrounded by towering trees and vibrant blooms. It’s always a joy to spend time immersed in the quiet beauty of nature — such simple moments, yet so memorable. On our most…