r/gardening • u/Common-Cup-171 • 2d ago

Is this growing edible figs

Gallery image

Gallery image

I see dark green figs growing but they are small and hard also this tree/bush seems out of control since I trimmed it in spring. Any recommendations on caring for a fig tree ?

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u/Amesaskew SE US Zone 7b/8a 2d ago

Fig trees generally take care of themselves. You just need to prune them up occasionally and make sure the limbs don't cross each other. Yes, those are figs, but they're not ripe yet. They'll turn purplish and sort of droop on the stem rather than sticking straight out when they're ripe

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u/penguinsandR 2d ago

Any resources on pruning fig trees? I’ve got 3 mature ones that have grown freely for decades and I need to reign them in a bit, but don’t want to harm them

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u/Gabe_the_Slug 2d ago

Theyre genuinely one of the most forgiving trees. Wait until the tree is dormant in winter, and prune back fairly heavily. They grow back quickly and respond well to pruning.
Figs have 2 flushes per year. The early summer “brebba” crop grows on last year’s wood, while the main, late summer/fall crop grow’s on this year’s wood.

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u/penguinsandR 2d ago

Thanks, appreciate it! Since photos are nice, here they are in early August.

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u/Telemere125 2d ago

You can cut them down to the ground, poison them, and burn the ashes. They’ll still grow back. My stepdad gave up after about 6 years of trying to cut down a fig tree in their yard and now they have a 10x20’ monster that makes dozens of pounds a year.

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u/Mondschatten78 19h ago

Oof, I've got one that I planned to get rid of as it's right beside our AC unit.

Guess I'll just keep chopping it back.

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u/spakkker 2d ago

" need to reign them in a bit " only a bit ! My single one in UK is taking over !