I'm cutting out my Monrovia Brown Turkey  this year, so I've just been letting it go.  As many times as I've trimmed it down to 24" tall or so to get the trunk beefed up, it keeps getting top-heavy.  I noticed the other day it fell over, and my buddy next door finally complained about it, so I popped out to check it out today.

Let's see if you can figure out why it fell down.

Perfect size for throwing at someone you don't like.

And just so you have an actual reference on how freaking big these figs are, I picked one of them.  It was inedible, a breba, and it tasted like crap (yes, I tried it), but ... damnit if this thing isn't the biggest damn fig I've ever seen in my life.

@James, these figs were almost larger than a baseball.  I wouldn't want to get hit with one.

They sure are big! Too bad they taste like crap.

Was it because the figs were to heavy lol.Nice looking figs thanks for sharing.

Jason,

Why would not you graft 2-3 decent varieties on its trunks in the spring? It seems to have some vigor in it, and that vigor should be transferred to the grafted scion.

Boris, this tree has a penchant for suckering.  I'd prefer not to keep up with it.  The hassle outweighs the benefit.

More.

Don't you hate when things actually look tasty, but taste like complete ass?

Yeah.

The one ripped open looks awesome but was sour.  The ultra-ripe one was too far gone.  The other one was usual BT - watery, bland.  Someone may as well have taken some watermelon rind and soaked it in sugarwater - would have tasted about the same (awful).

I don't know why I keep trying to taste figs off this tree after 5 years of owning it.  Nothing has ever tasted worth a damn.

That tree would make excellent compost.  It would if it were in my yard, anyway.

Nice pics though.  It's a very pretty tree.

Grows nice produces lots of big figs, but no one wants to eat them. Yeah it has to go

Jason...

Just a suggestion...why not try growing it in a container?   Trim it back to some manageable size, move it into full sun, and control the water at the roots when figs start ripening.  Maybe only ripen a main-crop, and forget the breba.  Pinch back new growth after main crop is set...and see what happens with a more carefully controlled, growing routine.  You got nothing to lose.  Maybe the fruit will improve.

Frank

Sounds like a plan Frank, how about it Jason. You might be the first person to make a BT taste good.
"gene"

jason,

beautiful figs.. sorry they don't have good taste. they look good enough to taste awesome..

pete

Holy-freakin'-cow! Those are large figs. Too bad they taste so horrible.

If it were mine, I'd give it the ax... there are so many good figs to give quality time, space, and resources to.

Gina...

I'm inclined to agree...but....only if I tried some cultural modifications, and I was then convinced that genetically, the tree is just a dog.  Then I'd burn it and use the ashes as plant food.  At least then, it would serve a final, useful, purpose.

Frank

If it were another lesser known variety I'd probably agree... but Brown Turkey has an extensive track record of 'blah'.  It was aptly named... it's brown, and it's a turkey.

I like the burning idea.  I can picture a row of urns on the mantle containing the ashes of figs that didn't work out.  ;)

Here's a variety of Brown Turkey that is real tasty (trespassing in front of our N. Carolina cabin.).

that's a wild turkey.. i like ones in the bottle better.

pete

Lol, that's one Brown Turkey I'd be willing to pot up and take very good care of... in the oven at about 325*.

WAIT!  What if you sliced them in half, drowned them in butter, put them on the BBQ for a minute, and drizzled with 18 year old Balsamic?  Surely there is a rescue here!
Suzi

That is far too much effort, Suzi.  Why spend all that effort when you have over 50 other trees that produce fruit that tastes 100 times better without any special preparation at all?

Frank, I know at least two dozen Brown Turkey trees near my house.  On a scale of 1-10, the best of the absolute best is lucky to rate at a 2/10.  Meanwhile, I have (I think, last count) 68 other varieties that put out figs that are easily a 6/10, some which are a 9/10 or 10/10.

There is a reason several members here have thrown away Brown Turkey:  The real ones are a complete waste of pot space.  I'd rather fill that space with something that produces way better fruit every time.

I tend to find myself in Jon's camp - If you think Brown Turkey tastes good, it's probably because you're not actually eating a Brown Turkey.

Jason English brown turkey is a very good tasting fig unlike the Monrovia bt , I too gave my Monrovia BT away just not worth eating let alone wasting space and time growing it. To me it's like eating Brussels sprouts first one is ok but after that they taste worse and worse. 

The overwhelming consensus: 

Brown Turkey isn't worth the time and effort, no matter what.  It's just plain, old crap, and will always be a crap variety.

Jason's reasoning -(post #22 )- makes perfect sense...why waste the time trying to make a silk purse....you know the rest.

Maybe they should be stuck in some forgotten corner, stuck in a greenhouse, or stuck in a compost pile.... how 'bout it JON....where would you stick a 'Brown Turkey'?  : )

Frank

You win!  BT tastes like crap and nobody wants to eat crap.  It's kind of sad though.  But, it has never been on my wish list because I heard rumors.........  So, you won me over... sorta.

I love gourmet cooking, and I'm pretty sure I could make a BT fig bring you to your knees!

Suzi