Sorry! "think trunks" = "thin trunks"

Ax;
How about an English Translation please, mi Espanol es muy poco y malo.

We don't have much of anything civilized in this country that is a hundred years old. If there is a story to this tree I'd like to hear it.

The tree reminds me of a picture I once saw of a grapevine that covered an acre of ground out in California, planted by the Spanish monks when they first set out to colonize the place.
Ox

Is it of the F.carica kind? If so, quite amaizing (what
variety is it?). I think I have seen a similar pic of
such an F.c tree from a ground-up view somewhere...
George (NJ).

P.S., If it is the same tree (pic) I saw, those 'legs' are
not air-roots/trunks, but wooden beam supports of some kind.

Oxancle, the article which I have referred, isn't about the picture. In my opinion this article is not interesting, it is regarding a dispute between two Spanish regions (Ibiza -another Balearic island- and Valencia) about the origin of Bourjassot fig, both say that their regions are the origin of this variety. it really is a stupid politic dispute without interest. Surely, the real origin of Bourjassot is other.

Gorgi, it is a Ficus Carica tree, but I don't know the variety. The Balearic islands are small in size but they are very rich in fig varieties, a lot of them are autochthonous. For example, it is said that Black Mission is originally from Balearic islands.

On the other hand, may be you are right and those legs aren't trunks but wooden supports.

Maybe you remember the picture of the Roscoff fig (Roscoff is a French village). This fig was cut down in 1987 and it had a canopy surface of 6,500 square foot (yes, six thousand and five hundred, it isn't an error).

More information here: The fig of Roscoff

Hello,

Europe is very funny, not different the rest of the world.
When I was young (a little bit more than now), often I went to Eivissa, for me this Island was the paradise.
At this time I had a big interest for the figs too, Axier do you understand me?.
I think Axier you are wrong, under the canopy ,in catalan, there are "puntals", literal english translation props, no suckers. They are made ii wood and they are used the support the branches of tree, like a Roscof fig tree.
This shape of tree is used to protect the animals of the sun.
By ADN tests the Bourjassot, Bordissot, and Violette de Sollies is the same variety.
Here a hand frame made by colour pencil in Eivissa that my sister she gave me.

Axier,
Thanks for taking the time to post such interesting Fig tree pictures for us here in the US to enjoy. Fantastic trees.

Peg

Thanks for the clarification Xon. When I saw the picture I didn't distinguish if they were trunks or wooden supports (puntals). Very nice the drawings of your sister.

I understand you very well, I have been several times to Balearic islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Eivissa and only one morning in Formentera) and, despite the intense tourism, it is a marvel, I like it very much and, if you like figs, even further! ;-)

Peg, it is amazing for me too. Where I live, there are nice old fig trees, I know several with 50 or maybe more years, but I have never seen fig trees like those in the pictures.

The Mediterranean climate is more appropriated than mine for outstanding fig trees. The Balearic people have a long tradition caring fig trees and, besides, they have an excellent climate for it.

Xon, Ax; you fellows done good. This has been a most interesting post. Thanks for the contribution.

Xon, you have answered a question I had, which was why anyone would manage a tree so that the figs could not be harvested without great difficulty.

Managed as the this tree is, both tree and animals benefit greatly.
Ox

Ax, Xon; You fellows have opened a fascinating picture of European life. The fact that these large fig trees were used for animal shelter struck me as very logical--they would provide shade, shelter from hail and to some extent reduce the force of heavy rains.

I've never offered figs to either cattle or goats, but I know that my cattle will eat all the apples, pears or peaches that I can feed them. I suspect all three, cattle, goats and sheep, will eat figs. Anyone know?

Looking at the two pictures I deduce that the Roscoff fig was sheltering cattle--I think I see cow patties under the tree, and the heavy support posts used are another clue. The Formentera fig must have been shelter for sheep or goats as cattle rub against and would probably knock down the lighter props, apparently not set into the ground, used there. Am I correct, or are both these figs shelters for cattle?
Ox

Yes, you are right. This is one of the fig tree use.
In the Balearic Island there are fig varieties only used as animal food. In other countries some of these varieties are good taste figs for the people.
Time ago, in France and the roman empire the best "foie gras" was made by geese nourished with figs