How to notch a fig tree - Detailed explanation with examples

Notching a fig tree is not a term you don't often hear, however it is an incredibly handy technique to have in your gardening handbook. This video gives you a detailed overview of how to notch a fig tree and then shows you real-world results of what these notches look like and how effective they are.

Watch this ver important video on the fig borer -    • How to identify, remove and treat fig borer  

Here are 2 additional great videos on fig trees:

Trunk chopping fig trees to lower height & improve structure -    • Trunk chopping fig trees to lower height &...  
Propagate your fig tree using cuttings -    • Propagate your fig tree using cuttings  

Video timeline:

00:00 - Introduction
00:28 - How notching works
01:50 - How do you notch a fig tree
07:18 - Taking a look at notched bud growth
09:20 - Summary on notching

What is notching?

Notching is a pruning technique that allows you to control where you get new growth on your fig tree. Generally, when you prune or do an aggressive cut, like a trunk chop, then growth can be unpredictable with a lot of growth shooting out all over the stem. Notching allows you to control sap flow to concentrate hormones and sap around dormant buds and gets them to wake up and start growing where you want it to.

Why should you use notching as a pruning technique on fig trees?

Both fig trees in pots and fig trees grown in the ground benefit from a good structure that has an open centre that is kept within reaching distance. Figs have a reputation for getting wild and out of control and but regular pruning and setting the branches where you want them to can develop a very well structured fig tree. When you notch your fig tree you are pruning for structural improvement by creating primary scaffold branches where you want them to then build upon year by year. Notching can be done on all branches, not only the trunk and you have multiple nothing on a fig tee at the same time.

How does notching work?

When the weather warms up the sap in fig trees starts to flow strongly. This sap delivers nutrients, hormones and sugars the plant needs to put on new growth and produce the amazing fig fruits that fig trees are so famous for. When you notch a fig tree you create a disturbance in the flow of sap up and down the trunk or branch. The sap hits the notch and needs to find a way around it causing a traffic jam of nutrients, hormones and sugars, which stimulates the bud or node to wake up and start growing. Without notching the sap will just flow freely and normally and there would be no reason for any given, or specific, bud to wake up and start growing.

How do you notch a fig tree?

The process of notching a fig tree is quite simple, but there are some rules to adhere to.

Step 1: Find a bud that you want to get to grow out into a branch and make sure you have a sharp, clean knife on hand.

Step 2: Start cutting at a 45-degree angle about 1.5cm above the bud and roughly 1/3 of the way into the trunk or branch. Then, make a diagonal cut to create the notch.

Step 3: Leave the notch as is. Do not seal or cover it. Part of the healing is stimulating the bud.

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Music credit: bensound.com