A tree for sale on Craiglist

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lolita1234

Registered:1443208094
Posts: 199

Posted 1452659833 · Edited

Reply with quote #1

Around Thanksgiving time I saw an ad on Craigslist regarding a fig tree for sale . Since it was in my neighborhood, I was curious and decided to run to that house to find out what it is .
The owner of the tree was a Hungarian lady . She said she needed room for other things because the fig tree drew squirrels to come and they ate all her figs whenever they are ripe . She told me "make me an offer" . I said I just wanted to buy some cuttings .
"No cuttings for sale . You have to take the whole thing for $250.00 "
"What do you mean by the whole thing ? Can I just cut all the branches down and use them as firewood ?"
" The whole thing means that you have to dig all the roots out of here "
" Well, I need to hire someone to do the job because I cannot dig it myself "
"Okay . Give me $150 . And do it fast before Thanksgiving "
"Mam, what is the name of your figs ? what color is outside and what color is inside ?"
"Celeste . Never have a chance to eat the fruits, so dont know ."
Her son jumped in " the fruit is green . The pulp is dark pink"
Well, I thought, then it is not Celest ??????.

I bought it . I gave her a deposit and told her that I would come back the next day (Friday) to pay for the rest .
Mid Friday after paying her the full price, I started to cut down all the small branches and loaded all of them in my pickup bed .
The owner ran out, yelling " I told you that you have to take the WHOLE thing, not only the branches, you hear me ? "
I assured her that I would come back the next day with a guy to dig that unwanted fig tree out of her yard

Here is the tree after all the small branches were removed

Guess how old is it ?
__________________

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 388

Posted 1452660495	Reply with quote #2

17 years old? __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

brianm

Registered:1389664758
Posts: 971

Posted 1452661164	Reply with quote #3

20 __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven

SaffronGrass

Registered:1452477499
Posts: 6

Posted 1452661679	Reply with quote #4

OMG, reading that just gave me a good laugh but I felt so bad for you. Thanks for sharing.

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1452668187	Reply with quote #5

10 years? I think she should PAY YOU for digging up that "aweful" figvtree for her :-D __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

FigWhisperer

Registered:1390447672
Posts: 106

Posted 1452676800	Reply with quote #6

I'll guess less than 10, 8years old. I thin it's a great deal for a tree that's going to give you many figs, no matter what variety. Enjoy it :) __________________ Frank Q. Figs: Food from paradise Wish-list:A good harvest :) Now you can follow http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesFigForest

JohnK

Registered:1433990756
Posts: 12

Posted 1452693039	Reply with quote #7

15 years old? __________________ Zone 6 "JohnnyK" on Ourfigs forum

jaylyne

Registered:1444371077
Posts: 62

Posted 1452693140	Reply with quote #8

beautiful :) 30 years? wow your going to get soo much figs __________________ wellspring garden starter plants: celeste, Marseille, Olympian, Chicago (2015) wishlist: votata, shiblawsi, 184-15, 187.25, sucrette UD zone 5

rmulhero

Registered:1429223986
Posts: 263

Posted 1452693901	Reply with quote #9

Great find! Don't be surprised if the tree doesn't produce figs or has very low yields the first couple years. Its going to be in shock and have severe root damage. I think you did the right thing by cutting off the smaller braches so the tree can focus its energy. __________________ Becky, zone 5 Growing: Hardy Chicago, VdB, Dessert King, Celeste, Green Ischia, Marseilles VS, Kathleen's Black, Red Sicilian, Adriatic JH, Violetta bayerfeinge, New Brunswick, Magnolia and Italian Honey. Wishlist: Sicilian Black JR, Petite Negra, Sweet George, Lattarula, Sals Corleone (Gene), Vasilika sika, Galicia negra, Dalmatie and any cold hardy fig.

PeterC

Registered:1442348302
Posts: 286

Posted 1452695428	Reply with quote #10

between 10 to 14 years old __________________ Growing: Sal's Corleone, Brooklyn Unknown, Peters Honey, White Kadoda, Brown Turkey, Black Mission, Deanna, Green Irchia, Hollier, Sals E Wanted: A very cold hardy fig, Hardy Chicago or Celeste Zone 7 Long Island

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1452695965	Reply with quote #11

6-8 years old. The fig is worth exactly as much as your labor to take it out. I had 2 opportunities to do this for people. Both times I did it in exchange for the tree but nothing more. (I had to bring topsoil and grass seed to fix the hole). They were much more of a multi stem bush and less of a tree that you have there. Hopefully it does very well for you. Good luck! __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

Lebmark

Registered:1345531613
Posts: 327

Posted 1452697313	Reply with quote #12

Congrats on your new tree...Hopefully, you gonna have fig this year... Age is not the important thing here... the question is what you did with the cuttings... Again a good find. Mark __________________ Zone 7 Brooklyn,NY. Fig Wish List 2014: I-258 Genovese Nero, Violet Dauphine , Noir De Caromb, ROUGE DE BORDEAUX , BARNISOTTE, BARNISOTTE GRIS, Anything Lebanese ( I mean Fruit Plants...That I do Not Have...)

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1452704339 · Edited	Reply with quote #13

Post back pics when it fruits for you Mai! Until you identify it may I suggest the name 'UNK Squirrel Magnet'? __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1452706150	Reply with quote #14

I'd say, that tree is probably around 3 years old. Meaning.....it was full grown when they planted in the ground probalby around 6 feet. It might be Atreano...but I am just guessing here. Mine grew like that until the 5 degree temps got it. 250 dollars is a steal for a tree of that size. If I was in the area, I'd take it! Fig trees can grow that size quickly if you let them and feed them liquid fish emulsion every weekend from Spring through Fall. If getting a good heat source during winter. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

figpig_66

Registered:1416870358
Posts: 2,678

Posted 1452707603 · Edited	Reply with quote #15

I bet 1 doller. Wait this isn't the price is right ! 3 1/4 years old. I take it the winner gets free cuttings. ... ;) __________________ RICHIE BONI HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity Wish list. Col de dame blanc Col de rimada Lsu numbered figs

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1452707739	Reply with quote #16

LOL RIchie!!! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1452717319	Reply with quote #17

I like your story. My guess, it's over 7 years old. Enjoy... __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

kkk2210

Registered:1420862008
Posts: 474

Posted 1452720660	Reply with quote #18

8 years .. Does the winner get free cuttings lol?? . It could be ponte tresa lol __________________ Vinny Bognor Regis, United Kingdom Wish List : Callara, De La Rio,Cul Noir, Calvy, LSU Red, I-258, Maltese Beauty, Preto, FMV Infected Ischia Black UCD. My Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/myb/Summary?MyEbay&gbh=1

Garlic_Mike

Registered:1442372397
Posts: 251

Posted 1452721431	Reply with quote #19

I'll go 12 and a half Bob.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1452722385	Reply with quote #20

Hi, My 2 cents for 9 years of age, because the trunks are not that thick after all. But the price would be too high for me. 30 bucks is my psychological limit. Anyway, I would take the opportunity to split that bush into 3 or 4 trees and plant them separately. They'll take some time to recover and produce figs again, unfortunately ... Keep them well watered during the next season. Good luck with your new trees ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1452723076	Reply with quote #21

11 years old

Mario_1

Registered:1398299123
Posts: 407

Posted 1452728590	Reply with quote #22

4 years old __________________ Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy

grant441

Registered:1358456015
Posts: 173

Posted 1452729261	Reply with quote #23

6 years old. __________________ South Carolina zone 7b

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1452732375 · Edited	Reply with quote #24

Nice looking tree! You bought it for a good price! I say the tree is 3 Years old ( I agree with Dennis) : ) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

lolita1234

Registered:1443208094
Posts: 199

Posted 1452734123 · Edited

Reply with quote #25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkk2210
8 years .. Does the winner get free cuttings lol?? . It could be ponte tresa lol

Your wish might come true Vinny ! who knows ? but you guess of 8 years is ..... wrong hehehe
__________________

lolita1234

Registered:1443208094
Posts: 199

Posted 1452734440

Reply with quote #26

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkk2210
8 years .. Does the winner get free cuttings lol?? . It could be ponte tresa lol

Your wish might come true Vinny ! who knows ?

Everybody so far, did not have a right answer yet
Yes, I will give away something nice if ... I win the lottery tonite hehehe

__________________

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1452740098	Reply with quote #27

Wait.....that tree is in Texas! Ok, it is 4 years old. But I still think it could be Atreano. Those branches look just like my tree. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1452740606	Reply with quote #28

I'm with Dennis. 4 years old. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Tonycm

Registered:1314411773
Posts: 922

Posted 1452742488	Reply with quote #29

I would guess that it's 5 years old. __________________ Zone 6a Sarver, PA Wish list; Rafed's Genovese Nero

padsfan

Registered:1315885369
Posts: 205

Posted 1452742619	Reply with quote #30

5 years old __________________ "Padres Fan" San Diego, California USA Sunset Zone 24- coastal So. Cal

lolita1234

Registered:1443208094
Posts: 199

Posted 1452743908

Reply with quote #31

The lady owner said 10 years, but I do not think so
__________________

Lebmark

Registered:1345531613
Posts: 327

Posted 1452745149	Reply with quote #32

Mai check the history of the sale of the house and see how much the old owners had the house before the Hungarians purchased the house. check the Zillow.com first. then you might have an idea give and take couple of years... Mark __________________ Zone 7 Brooklyn,NY. Fig Wish List 2014: I-258 Genovese Nero, Violet Dauphine , Noir De Caromb, ROUGE DE BORDEAUX , BARNISOTTE, BARNISOTTE GRIS, Anything Lebanese ( I mean Fruit Plants...That I do Not Have...)

noss

Registered:1244523274
Posts: 2,122

Posted 1452753070	Reply with quote #33

I don't want the tree, so I don't care how old it is, but you could air layer big pots on each of the trunks and get several trees for free AND let the stumps grow up to get more, if it's a good variety. Just a thought. Good luck with your tree. noss __________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.

LJFiggy

Registered:1448185688
Posts: 145

Posted 1452753469	Reply with quote #34

Quote: Originally Posted by lolita1234 The lady owner said 10 years, but I do not think so How old do you think the tree is, and why? Thanks for your interesting account and photo :) __________________ ~New to growing figs, I currently have tiny fig plants which are supposedly Little Ruby, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King, and Petite Negri. I hope these were accurately labeled! Now rooting LSU Gold and Purple, Celeste, Panache, Peter's Honey, and Unknown Varieties from cuttings, thanks to generous forum members. Figs on my current wish list (along with any others recommended): Osborne Prolific, Battaglia Green, Smith, Kadota, Italian Honey, Atreano, Verte or Green Ischia, Panache, Peter's Honey, Black Madeira, Smith, Noir de Caromb, etc. ~

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1452779105	Reply with quote #35

Lol, Richie!! __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Jodi

Registered:1443230258
Posts: 343

Posted 1452783000	Reply with quote #36

How is the Fig Rescue coming along? I love the story and hope the tree does great and rewards you with beauty and tasty Figs! __________________ In the book the "The Meaning of Trees" it is said the fig regulates the heart and that the true essence of Figs is...food for the soul. Daisy's IBT cuttings will be available in January/February along with a few Lampeira Parda. Wishes for Martinenca Rimada, Black Ischia, I258, CddRoja, Jolly Tiger, Your favorite Figgy! Zone 8a Camp Verde AZ

lolita1234

Registered:1443208094
Posts: 199

Posted 1452790153 · Edited

Reply with quote #37

Quote:

Originally Posted by noss
I don't want the tree, so I don't care how old it is, but you could air layer big pots on each of the trunks and get several trees for free AND let the stumps grow up to get more, if it's a good variety. Just a thought. Good luck with your tree.

noss

You read my mind, Sir .
I already did since the tree was in my possession from day 1
__________________

garden

Registered:1443620140
Posts: 34

Posted 1452822304	Reply with quote #38

Nice tree! You may graft your PT to this tree.

lolita1234

Registered:1443208094
Posts: 199

Posted 1452826911 · Edited

Reply with quote #39

I had a truck load of branches to bring home that day . It took me 10 hours to cut them into small sticks and another 2 days to pot all the branches (that I am planning to do bonsai with them)

here are some of the cuttings. There was a total of more than 850 cuttings . Please do not mind the name on the bags. I just recycled old plastic bags that belonged to people who sold their cuttings to me )r

The next day , I brought an electric Saw-All, 2 shovels, and a number of plastic bags . Hired a Mexican guy at the Labor center to go along .
The Hungarian lady asked "what are you going to do with the fig tree ?"
I joked " I am going to grind all the trunks into powder and make medicine with it "
"for what kinda treatment ?"
"leaves for Sadness. Fruit for Depression . Roots for Mental troubles . Trunk for Laziness .. You name it !."
"Really ?'
"Yah ! this is a precious tree "
"Well, you are going to make a fortune ! I think I was crazy to sell it . I need to keep one branch "
I laughed , laughed and laughed ...

Using a shovel the guy started to dig around the tree . We both thought that the tree was 10 year old (the owner told us so)

But when all the dead leaves around the tree base were removed, my Gosh ! what you saw before was just some branches that belonged to a huge tree underneath .

. The more we took the dirt out (and it was muddy ) the more we discovered that the diameter of that base was about 1 meter . No way that we can dig the whole thing in one piece . Way tooooooo big and roots were crawling everywhere .

What should we do ??? use a crane ?
__________________

garden

Registered:1443620140
Posts: 34

Posted 1452828228	Reply with quote #40

What the story about bonsai?

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1452828853	Reply with quote #41

Quote: Originally Posted by lolita1234 The Hungarian lady asked "what are you going to do with the fig tree ?" I joked " I am going to grind all the trunks into powder and make medicine with it " "for what kinda treatment ?" "leaves for Sadness. Fruit for Depression . Roots for Mental troubles . Trunk for Laziness .. You name it !." "Really ?' "Yah ! this is a precious tree " "Well, you are going to make a fortune ! I think I was crazy to sell it . I need to keep one branch " I laughed , laughed and laughed ... Mai, that is hilarious. :) As for the trunk, I would dig up what is achievable by the average human, then simply state that there is no way to remove that caliber of trunk without a machine. I think that would be fair. Don't let her take advantage of you. Get some rest! __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

PeterC

Registered:1442348302
Posts: 286

Posted 1452833804	Reply with quote #42

I have done bigger and it probably weigh in around 350 lbs, need to dig a three foot diameter and two feet down. Two very strong people can lift it into a van. __________________ Growing: Sal's Corleone, Brooklyn Unknown, Peters Honey, White Kadoda, Brown Turkey, Black Mission, Deanna, Green Irchia, Hollier, Sals E Wanted: A very cold hardy fig, Hardy Chicago or Celeste Zone 7 Long Island

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1452834903	Reply with quote #43

Wait a second. That cut off base was not part of the original picture. My guess was 6-8 years old. That is the age of what I saw in the picture. It would not include age of the stump. Lol I'm a landscaper. The largest fig tree I've moved (with 2 helpers) was about 8' tall x 6' wide. The base was over 3' wide x 2' deep. We hand dug it and used a ball cart to move it. I estimate it was well over 600 lbs. probably over 30 years old. The largest roots were the size of baseball bats. We cut those off with a sawzall. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

TheFigster

Registered:1383434380
Posts: 197

Posted 1452850723	Reply with quote #44

Quote: Originally Posted by Figgysid1 17 years old? I ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE OUT A FIG TREE BUT THEY WANTED TOO MUCH AND I'M WAY TO OLD TO DO IT MYSELF!! IT WAS A CELESTE FOR SURE.. I'D SAY LOOKING AT THE SIZE OF THE BRANCHES LEFT IT IS ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD OR EVEN MAYBE 6 BECAUSE TREE'S IN DALLAS, TX DON'T GROW VERY FAST BECAUSE OF THE WINTER MONTHS.. LOOKING AT IT I WOULD THINK IT MIGHT BE A ALMA FIG TREE!! ??? JUST GUESSING THOUGH.. THEFIGSTER! __________________ WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible. I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe!

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