Steve:Cut Two Major branches completelly to ground this year,in Spring.Cut the remaining branches to 5 foot this year,in Spring too.
Next year shorten the four remaining branches to three foot in spring.After 1st.of August trim the tree again to desired height.Keep it there from then on by pruning and thinning,the way you like.

Herman has it pretty well laid out for you. I would wait till late March 2007 to prune (late Winter, early Spring, but before the tree breaks dormancy). You really can't go too far wrong pruning a fig tree - they are pretty resilient. Some of my trees were 16" tall at the beginning of the year, are now 6-10' tall, and will be 16-20" again this Spring.

Hi, total newbie here. I have a similar question. I have a fig bush that has been unmaintained in the past 3-4 years. It is only about 3 metres, and has much more branches, like 20 or so.

Can I prune similar to Herman's advice, but in early Winter here?

Should I cut to a particular location (e.g. bud facing outwards?).

The branches are about 1 inch thick. Can I use a saw to prune?

thanks heaps.