What I did to grow figs in Colorado Springs was to bend and weigh down all the branches with big bricks and cover with burlap and a wire cage filled with leaves. Was able to keep enough old wood to get some figs even in the short growing season.
Where I presently live in southern Kentucky, I do similarly with just a 5' fence cage with kitty litter jugs of water around the tree filled with leaves. I then tape plastic over the top half to keep rain out. Keep enough old wood to get some fruit in summer and late crop on new wood. While the fig essentially stays a large bush, it is is fruitful.
