You can top/cut it in half then it will branch and become more sturdier and fuller when it re grows. Most people would say it's too late in the season to prune, but me personally I would top it now since it's still spring and it will regrow quite fast in the hot summer heat.

where exactly do I cut it? I'm just afraid to cut too much... I might just give it a try.

Looks like your tree is already a bushy form and there don't seem to be any straight branch? The left one that seems to be the tallest can be cut down to about 6"-8" above the soil line as the other one too. I haven't done any of mine yet, as mine are still just little rooted cuttings. From what i read so far is every time a new branch forms count about 6"-8" leaf node and cut the top of that branch off for more branch to form. But make sure before you cut off it's above a leaf node(where a previous leaf grew) Give it a try, figs respond very well to pruning.

fantastic! Thank you for this explanation. I feel more confident that I can do this now.
I will grab some pruning shears and some band-aids (for the tree not for me ;)) and get to it soon.

Again, Thank you!

Be careful not to get the white latex fluid from the fig tree on your skin when you do the pruning. It can be very irritating to the skin.
Terry

Molly,

How do you over winter your fig? Do you bring it inside and treat it like a houseplant or let it go dormant for the winter? You might have spindly growth because you didn't let your fig rest over the winter and it was stretching for light on those short winter days. I'd recommend letting it go dormant in the winter and you won't have that spindly growth.

Good luck,
Little John