Jen: There are plenty of reputable, local nurseries that don't have a clue about the parent stock from which the figs (they sell) came. It's always nice to know the parent stock is/was a prolific bearer, but the only way to know that is to see the tree from which yours was cloned (or tissue-cultured), or have the word of a trusted friend (and sometimes that's a bit shaky, if they're trying to sell you something). There are grower/wholesalers in warm climates (read California) sendng fig trees all over the country, and if they get the variety right, that's a plus. That said, I'd give the trees another year. How tall are they, by the way? Many fig growers pinch the terminal and laterals at 4 to 6 feet to stimulate fruit production (and keep the trees at a managable size). In your zone, you probably have August, September, and October without frost--probably enough time to force some fruit (hopefully) and have it mature.

Hi,

I live on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia (near Vancouver). I had a fig tree (actually it was more bush-like, variety unknown)in Vancouver which produced abundant, yellowish-green, delicious fruit. About 7 years ago, I transplanted a cutting from this tree to our oceanfront cottage located about 25 miles from Vancouver (I think it must be zone 8). This cutting is now two, 1 inch thick trunks, about 8 feet tall, with healthy looking foliage, but has produced no fruit whatsoever. What have I done wrong?

I'm afraid I don't know what terminals and laterals refer to

Any help most appreciated.

Bill

Bill:Just cut your two one inch stem about four foot,high, right now and pinch any branches that grows from now on ,pinch the tips after the sixth leaf.You will get fruits!!!!!!!

Herman2, are you saying pinch the leaves on the part of the tree that wasn't cut? If that's the case do I count up to the 6th leaf and then pinch out any and all leaves above that?

Please clarify when you can thanks, as I am also in the same boat with my tree all leaves no fruit.Thank you.

Big Al

Yes Pinch the leafes on the young remaining branches and also on all new growth from now on.
If you like the tree taller or shorter just cut where you want but still apply the pinching.

Thanks, Herman2 I will let you know how all this works out!!!

Big Al

Jen, I have old and new fig bushes/trees in Athens at my lake place and they also are slow in fruiting this year due to the very cool spring/early summer we've had. I wouldn't worry about it yet. Do your bushes get full sun? With little or no sun, even if you had figs, they likely would not ripen. Mojo made some good points. When I first started with figs some 30 years ago, a man offered me a whole big tree if I'd dig it up. I put out half a dozen trees from it and all thrived. Yet, not one ever had even an inkling of a fig. Apparently, some fig varieties are barren. I have some good-producing varieties rooted and I'd be glad to give you a couple.

georgia_jack said:
"When I first started with figs some 30 years ago, a man offered me a whole big tree if I'd dig it up. I put out half a dozen trees from it and all thrived. Yet, not one ever had even an inkling of a fig. Apparently, some fig varieties are barren."

Come on!

I taught I was TOUGH on giving up on 'some' fig varieties. But thirty years (if I undestand correctly) is
almost a lifetime! Ever considered FIGuring why/what is
the problem with THAT particular cultivar?

Was it ever ID'd?

I still believe there is some good in all figs
somewhere/somehow...

Regards,
George (NJ).

George: Com on:Jack did not mean he kept them for thirty years.He probably got rid of them a long time ago.Regards

Well Herman, thanks for clearing the air for me. Last night,
I must have had at least one beer too much! And Jack,
I apologize for my misunderstandings.
George (NJ).

Georgia_Jack, thanks! I'd love to take you up on that and it'd be fun to meet a local gardener who's interested in fruit :) Most of my gardening buddies are flower people or perhaps have veggie gardens but that's it. Why don't more people love fruit trees?

I think the problem with my fig trees is that the tree canopy was growing too high and had started to shade the fig bushes. I just had a bunch of trees cut down (though it hardly made a dent in the forest) and little baby figs have already started to form. I'm also trying that pinching business so we'll see. And fertilizer, I got 'em good with leaf mould and a healthy pine needle mulch. If they don't get serious about figging I'm gonna fig them! So get busy trees!

Jen, watch your soil pH with that mulch. Figs like a slightly alkaline soil. You might want to add a little lime to compensate for the acidic pine needles. I also found out accidentally one year that figs love cottonseed meal as a slow-release fertilizer. I use it every year. It helped produce some six-ounce figs. Couldn't "hoit."

Thanks for the tip about cottonseed meal Georgia Jack! How much do you apply to a third year tree 5' tall, and when? Thanks again, Paul.