How can I get my ficus tree to grow taller instead of fuller?

My tree is planted in the ground and currently at about 5 feet tall. It's grown about 8 inches in the year that's it's been moved from a planter into the ground. I want it to grow taller not fuller. It's very healthy, has a nice shape and grows smaller branches horizontally. How can I get it to grow vertically?

How can I get my ficus tree to grow taller instead of fuller?
AS MY TREES GROW, I PRUNE THE LOWER BRANCHES TO ENCOURAGE MY TREES TO GROW TALLER. NOT THE TOPS ALTHOUGH A TINY LITTLE TRIM WILL HELP THEM FILL OUT A LITTLE, TOO, SO THEY WON'T BE TOO THIN. YOU WILL WANT TO TRIM CLOSE TO THE TRUNK BUT NOT INTO IT AND DON'T CUT TOO MANY OFF, YOU WILL WANT SOME FOLIAGE ON IT. THIS WON'T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT EITHER SO GIVE IT TIME. ALSO, I WAS TOLD BY A TREE EXPERT NOT TO BOTHER WITH PAINTING THE CUTS BECAUSE IT CAN PROMOTE BACTERIA AND ROT. THEY WILL DRY BY THEMSELVES AND BE FINE. I HAVE CUT SOME VERY BIG BRANCHES AND THE DID HEAL ON THEIR OWN. THE BONUS IS YOU WON'T HANG YOURSELF WHEN YOU MOW THE YARD.
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Reply:Cut the lower branches off about 80% up the tree. Caution: Don't do this until it cools off. Or, if you just can't wait, be sure to seal after cutting (you can get pruning seal at your garden center.
Reply:Keep watering it and taking care of it..... I think that eventually it should even out.



;)
Reply:Do not prune the tree. Pruning the tree will only make it grow wider and fuller.
Reply:You may have a dwarf ficus tree and if so, it may not get any taller. Generally, the tree will only grow as tall as the tap root is long. If it's only been in the ground for a year, one of the main things is be patient, it takes a long time for trees to grow. Good luck.