Elder, what are you gaining by cutting back? -- other than some cuttings for propagation. If you cut it back, that wood is dead; if you leave it and the cold gets it, it's also dead. I would suggest that you go ahead and wrap the wire tubes around the lower 4'. If some or all the wood above that survives, you'll get a few brebas perhaps and a larger fall crop than if you trim heavily in the fall. If it freezes, you haven't lost any more than if you had cut it back in the fall. I had to do some major trimming back of some large figs in my back yard due to size last fall, and growth and production has been delayed this spring. If size is a concern I'd recommend continuous small pruning throughout the summer while it's in active growth, rather than major dormant pruning.

Eler,

I concur with Gene, I don't prune mine back ... just wrap the branches above the cage and hope for the best. Attached is a link to my tests of last year and below is a picture of one of my successfull wrappings. Better yet, if the tree is young enough, bending it over & burying it works very well.

-Steve

{{gwi:791609}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Results of WInter Wrapping Tests

Thanks, Steve and Gene, for your input. The reason I asked the question is I read in the recent "Brown Turkey" thread that Herman cuts his trees back to two and a half feet in the fall. This would certainly make winterizing easier, but if it restricts production, then it's a no go. I tried bending some of the trees towards the ground and found that once they reach a diameter of 3/4 inch or larger they resist this procedure with a passion.....Elder