Some people just slice the fig so the plant will abort it and heal without a scar, but you are correct. The figs will sap the energy from the plant. You should remove the figs.

Should have done it when they were less than the size of a pea! You can try slicing partway through to avoid bleeding, which drains the cutting.

The term scar is used to describe the marks left where fruits and leaves have been, it will leave a small scar and that is normal.

Halfway through the peduncle (stem) or neck on the underside, the cut will stay closed and the fig will drop off in a few days. If you cut it all the way through, or on top the cut will be open and bleed sap.

I use a pair of HOT scissors to cut and cauterize my figs off.

steve

Thanks all for the directions. I did what hoosier suggested. It fell off after a few days.