Fig Bush Vs Fig Tree – A Gardener’S Guide To Choosing The Perfect

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever found yourself dreaming of harvesting sweet, sun-warmed figs right from your own backyard? It’s a wonderful goal, but one that often comes with a confusing first question: should you grow a fig bush or a fig tree?

You’ve probably seen pictures of both—a sprawling, multi-stemmed shrub loaded with fruit, and a stately, elegant tree with a single, sturdy trunk. It can feel like a major decision you have to get right from the start.

I promise, by the end of this guide, you’ll not only understand the difference but will feel completely confident in choosing and shaping the perfect fig for your garden. We’re going to clear up the great fig bush vs fig tree debate once and for all.

We’ll walk through what sets them apart (it’s simpler than you think!), the unique benefits of each style, a step-by-step pruning guide to achieve your desired look, and some best practices for a healthy, productive plant. Let’s get growing!

The Big Secret: It’s the Same Plant!

Alright, let’s start by letting you in on the biggest secret in the fig-growing world. When we talk about a fig bush vs a fig tree, we are almost always talking about the exact same plant: Ficus carica.

That’s right! The difference isn’t genetic; it’s entirely about pruning and training. A fig naturally wants to grow as a multi-stemmed bush, sending up suckers from its base. Through careful pruning, a gardener can train it to grow with a single, dominant trunk, creating a tree form.

Think of yourself as the sculptor and the fig plant as your clay. You get to decide the final shape. This is fantastic news because it means you have control, and you can choose the form that best suits your space, climate, and harvesting style.

A Complete Fig Bush vs Fig Tree Guide: A Side-by-Side Look

So, since you’re the one in charge, how do you decide which shape to encourage? Let’s break down the key differences to help you make the best choice. This is the core of our fig bush vs fig tree comparison.

Growth Habit and Size

A fig bush has multiple woody stems emerging from the ground. This creates a shorter, wider, and denser plant, typically reaching heights of 6-15 feet with a similar spread. It’s a more rustic and sprawling look.

A fig tree is trained to have one central trunk. This allows it to grow taller, sometimes up to 20-30 feet, depending on the variety. It has a more classic, open canopy, creating a defined silhouette in the landscape.

Harvesting Ease

When it comes to picking those delicious figs, the bush form often wins for convenience. Most of the fruit grows at a lower, more accessible height. You can easily walk around the plant and harvest without needing a ladder.

With a tree, especially a mature one, you’ll likely need a sturdy ladder to reach the fruit on the higher branches. This can be a bit more work, but the yield can be just as impressive.

Climate and Winter Hardiness

This is a huge consideration. In colder climates (Zones 6-7), the bush form is often the safer bet. If a harsh winter causes dieback, the plant can regrow from its protected roots and surviving low-lying stems. You might lose some of the top growth, but the plant itself will survive.

A fig tree, with its single exposed trunk, is more vulnerable to severe cold. If that one trunk is critically damaged by frost, you could lose the entire plant above the graft line.

Aesthetics and Landscaping Use

The choice here is purely about your garden design. A fig bush works wonderfully as a dense, edible hedge, a background screen, or as part of an informal, cottage-style garden. It fills a space with lush foliage from the ground up.

A fig tree, on the other hand, is a stunning specimen plant. It can be the focal point of a yard, provide shade for a patio, or fit perfectly into a more formal garden design. The bare trunk allows you to underplant with flowers or groundcover.

The Benefits of Growing a Fig Bush

If you’re leaning towards a bush, you’re in good company. Many gardeners, especially those in cooler climates or with smaller spaces, find this is the most practical and productive method. Here are some of the top benefits.

  • Easier for Beginners: Since the bush form is the fig’s natural tendency, it requires less corrective pruning. It’s a more forgiving shape to maintain.
  • Better for Cold Climates: As we mentioned, the multi-stem structure is like an insurance policy against winter dieback. You can even wrap the whole bush or cover it with mulch for extra protection.
  • Ideal for Containers: A bush shape is much easier to manage in a large pot. You can keep it compact through pruning, making it perfect for patios, decks, or balconies.
  • Quicker to Produce: Sometimes, allowing the fig to focus its energy on multiple low branches can lead to fruit production a little sooner than waiting for a tall trunk to establish.
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The Case for the Classic Fig Tree

There’s something undeniably romantic about a classic fig tree. If you have the right climate and space, training your fig into a tree offers its own set of unique advantages.

  • Stunning Visual Impact: A well-pruned fig tree is a true showstopper. Its sculptural branches and large leaves create a Mediterranean vibe that can anchor your entire landscape design.
  • Creates Usable Space: By removing the lower branches, you create open space underneath the canopy. This is perfect for a small seating area, a shade garden, or simply making it easier to mow and maintain the area around the trunk.
  • Improved Airflow: The open structure of a tree can improve air circulation around the leaves and fruit, which can help reduce the risk of fungal diseases in humid climates.
  • A Legacy Plant: A fig tree feels like a permanent, generational addition to a garden. It can become a beloved landmark in your yard for years to come.

How to Train Your Fig: A Step-by-Step Pruning Guide

Ready to get hands-on? Here is your practical how to fig bush vs fig tree guide. The best time to do major structural pruning is in late winter or early spring while the plant is dormant. Don’t worry—figs are incredibly resilient and respond well to pruning!

How to Prune for a Fig Bush Shape

This is all about encouraging the plant’s natural, multi-stemmed habit. The goal is to have 3-5 strong, well-spaced main stems forming the base.

  1. Start Young: When you first plant your fig, or during its first dormant season, cut the main stem back to about half its height. This encourages the plant to send out new shoots from the base.
  2. Select Your Leaders: The following winter, choose 3-5 of the strongest, healthiest-looking shoots to become your main trunks. Prune away any other weak or crowded shoots right at the ground level.
  3. Encourage Branching: On your chosen leaders, prune the tips back by about one-third. This will promote side branching, creating a fuller, more productive bush.
  4. Annual Maintenance: Each year, remove any dead or damaged wood. Thin out the center of the bush if it becomes too crowded to allow for good sunlight and airflow. Also, remove any suckers that are too far away from the main clump.

How to Prune for a Fig Tree Shape

Training a fig tree requires a bit more diligence, especially in the first few years. Your goal is to establish a single, strong central trunk.

  1. Select a Central Leader: Start with a young, single-stemmed fig plant. If it has multiple stems, choose the straightest, strongest one to be your trunk and prune the others off at the base.
  2. Stake for Support: Place a sturdy stake next to your chosen leader and loosely tie the stem to it for support. This encourages it to grow straight up.
  3. Remove Lower Growth: As the leader grows, remove any side branches that form on the lower half or two-thirds of the trunk. You decide how high you want the “head” or canopy of the tree to begin. Also, diligently remove any suckers that sprout from the base of the plant.
  4. Shape the Canopy: Once the trunk reaches your desired height (e.g., 3-4 feet), pinch or prune the very top of the leader. This will stop its upward growth and encourage it to branch out, forming the canopy of your tree.
  5. Annual Maintenance: Each dormant season, remove any new suckers from the base, any low-growing branches on the trunk, and any dead, damaged, or crossing branches within the canopy.

Common Problems with Fig Bush vs Fig Tree Growth (and How to Fix Them)

Every plant has its quirks. Being aware of the common problems with fig bush vs fig tree forms will help you stay ahead of any issues.

Problem: My fig tree keeps sending up suckers from the base!

Solution: This is completely normal. Your tree remembers its bushy roots. The key is consistency. Simply prune these suckers off with clean pruners as soon as you see them. Don’t let them get big and woody.

Problem: My fig bush is a tangled, unproductive mess.

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Solution: This is usually due to a lack of thinning. During the dormant season, be bold! Reach into the center of the bush and remove a few of the oldest, thickest stems right at the base. This opens up the plant to light and air, encouraging new, more productive growth.

Problem: Winter killed the top of my plant. What now?

Solution: If you have a bush, this is less of a catastrophe. Prune away all the dead wood in the spring. New, healthy shoots will likely emerge from the base. If you had a tree, you can either try to re-train a new sucker into a single leader or decide to embrace its new life as a bush.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Fig Growing Best Practices

Growing figs can be an incredibly rewarding and sustainable practice. Following a few eco-friendly fig bush vs fig tree best practices will ensure your plant is not only productive but also a positive part of your local ecosystem.

  • Mulch Generously: Apply a thick layer of wood chips, straw, or compost around the base of your fig. This conserves soil moisture (reducing your watering needs), suppresses weeds, and enriches the soil as it breaks down.
  • Propagate Your Cuttings: Don’t throw away your pruned branches! Fig cuttings root very easily. You can turn one plant into many, sharing them with friends and neighbors. This is the ultimate sustainable gardening practice.
  • Feed Organically: Figs aren’t heavy feeders, but they appreciate a top-dressing of rich compost or well-rotted manure each spring. This builds healthy soil life and provides slow-release nutrients without the need for synthetic fertilizers.
  • Avoid Pesticides: Figs are wonderfully pest-resistant. By encouraging beneficial insects and practicing good garden hygiene, you can almost always avoid chemical sprays, protecting pollinators and keeping your harvest pure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fig Bush vs Fig Tree

Can I change my fig tree into a fig bush (or vice versa)?

Yes, you can! To change a tree to a bush, you can perform a hard “renovation” prune, cutting the main trunk down to 1-2 feet from the ground during dormancy. It will respond by sending up many new shoots from the base, which you can then train into a bush. To change a bush to a tree, you’d select the best central stem and consistently remove all others over a couple of seasons.

Which form produces more fruit, a bush or a tree?

A mature plant of either form can be incredibly productive. A bush may produce more fruit earlier in its life and at an easier-to-reach height. A large, mature tree has the potential for a massive single harvest due to its sheer size. Ultimately, a healthy, well-cared-for plant in the right location will give you the most figs, regardless of its shape.

What are the best fig varieties for a bush form?

While any fig can be grown as a bush, varieties known for their cold hardiness are excellent candidates. ‘Chicago Hardy’ and ‘Brown Turkey’ are fantastic choices because they reliably regrow from the roots even after a harsh winter, making the bush form a natural fit.

Your Fig, Your Choice

So, the great debate of fig bush vs fig tree really isn’t a debate at all. It’s a personal choice about what works best for your garden, your climate, and your aesthetic.

Do you have a small space or a cold winter? The forgiving, easy-to-harvest bush might be your perfect match. Do you dream of a majestic focal point providing shade and drama? Then put in the effort to train a beautiful tree.

The most important takeaway is that you are in control. You are the gardener, the pruner, the shaper. Don’t be afraid to pick up those pruners and create the fig of your dreams. No matter which form you choose, the reward of a sweet, homegrown fig is one of gardening’s greatest pleasures.

Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
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