A friend has this fig tree that is starting to grow on me.   I first dismissed this fig several years ago because, although of excellent taste, I thought it was sort of on the small side.  I see now that it makes up for size short comings in being a very high producer.

The tree was about 30 plus feet all around, with some of the main branches literally on the ground.   Looked like a big bush!  It obviously hadn’t been pruned or trimmed in years, if ever.   You couldn’t get to most of the crop it was so dense.   Anyway, after getting the fig fever last winter, I took interest in the beast and talked her into thinning out at least 50% of the tree.   She did that, plus some!   Wow…. what a difference and my friend is so happy.  She can now walk right into the center and harvest figs galore.   The tree truly responded to the care and looks way healthier too. 

Now to the question!   Any idea what kind of fig this might be?  See photos below!    Wild ass guesses okay too….!  Dear recently departed husband had planted the fig tree around 20 years ago.   Maybe it is a variety local to this area (San Diego coast), I dunno?  The fig appears to be a dusky purple when ready to pick, but, turns almost black if left to fully ripen.  All ripe fruit seems to have skin fractures or stretch marks.   Skin is very thin also!   The eye is closed, almost not apparent.     Thanks for any ideas.

Happy fig pickin……

Oh BTW... I did not pass up the oportunity at the tree trimming party to collect a few cuttings.  I now have several clones of this beauty in 3 gal pots.......... :-)

I have no idea what the variety is but it looks like a very tasty fig.  Thanks for sharing and I'm sure some of the more experienced people here can help you figure it out.

Jack,

Interesting fig. The color of the leaf is dull compared to most common fig varieties. 

How does the flavor compare to your VdB or RdB?

Do you have extra cuttings or plants?

Wild ass guess= Black Celeste?

that's a very good looking fig.

Whatever it is, it sure looks delish! What does it taste like?

Another guess: Improved Celeste?

Hi Jack, it doesn't matter what the name is as long as you enjoy it. Does it taste similar to Celeste? Black Celeste or Improved Celeste should have that same flavor profile.

Thank you everyone for your interest and comment.   I anxiously look forward to more educated opinions but, appears like we may be well on our way to at least building a consensus here.

SEGeo:      I’m not sure now if that is the true leaf color in photo.  I went to photograph about 2 hours after liberating and it had started to curl up on edges.   I pressed between newspaper and a stack of books for an hour, to flatten.  Maybe the reason it looks dull    I’ll try to get another fresh leaf shot today and post.    Texture of leaf is like a very fine grade sandpaper.   Just like all my other fig starts!

Does it taste like your VdB or RdB?     Embarrassed to say, I have personally never tasted either.  I’m just a newbie in this wonderful world of figs.   I do have a RdB but, it’s just a 3 gal size from this year’s cutting.

Spare cuttings or plants?    No in both cases!    Cuttings are long gone, I shoulda put some in the refrigerator in hind sight.  The few starts that escaped the mother of all gnat infestations are spoken for.   If an interest, sure more can be made available in Dec-Feb.    Especially if we can come up with a name!  The owner is really the one with inquiring mind and would appreciate knowing the variety.

Thanks again to all for your help.

Celeste.

It seem there are many Celeste Strains.
It must be one of the Celeste,strains .

A Celeste it is, eh.  Very cool, the experts have spoken.    Sounds good to me!   I did get a few more photos yesterday so, I’ll go ahead and post them.   Just in case someone desires to reconsider their opinion......... :-)

I don’t know if it is a trait or typical of Celeste but, as you can see this tree formed many main branches from the base.   Like I said earlier, the tree was allowed to pretty much grow wild to its natural shape and size.   Before we trimmed heavily, it was so dense, it was impossible to reach fruit in the middle.  Now you can walk around underneath and reach way more figs.  My friend is just over 5 ft so; it works even better for her than me at 6 ft.   Anyway, just thought that multi-trunk was cool, if cleaned up.

Also, appears that the heavy trimming and topping benefited not only fruit size but, production as well.   This tree from what I remember in the past few years, always had sort of scrawny little figs.   Now they are true contenders.    Just a newbie's observation!

Thanks again, for all the expert help in identifying this fig.   I can now scratch the unknown tag and replace with “Celeste”.  I still have one more mystery fig from a neighbor to identify.  I’ll try that one another day, when the Forum isn’t real busy.   

Happy fig pickin…..

sounds like a winner. i wouldn't mind a nice Celeste that is productive and doesn't drop figs :)

Don't look like Celeste leaves.

Some sort of Black fig. 

As Jon said not a Celeste. 

A few more clues, observations and answers:

Several asked about taste.   To my palate this fig is very tasty, although I don’t have any figs other figs handy to compare with.  Just better than other figs, especially the store bought, I’ve experienced     Flavor is mild, almost delicate, thanks to thin skin I suspect!  No special nutty, fruity or woody traces some use in describing fig taste.  Just a wee hint of seed crunch or presence, not very perceptible though.  Not overly sweet either, again very much on the light side!

Tim asked…” Does it taste similar to Celeste? Black Celeste or Improved Celeste should have that same flavor profile.”    I hate to admit, I never tasted either of the varieties mentioned so, I don’t know.

Pete says…” sounds like a winner. i wouldn't mind a nice Celeste that is productive and doesn't drop figs :)”  Now that you mention, I have never seen this tree drop fruit.  Seems like either birds or beetles get first.  Although, neither have been a problem this year.   Yet….!

Jon says….” Don't look like Celeste leaves.”    One thing I noticed taking photos yesterday, is that the leaves did exhibited varying shapes and size.   This was most apparent in the shaded underside larger leaves vs. those leaves exposed to all day direct sun.  Being new, I just assumed this was the norm.  Now I wonder which leaf is used to ID the tree?  Huimmm……

Anyway, I hope the above is of help to those who asked or commented.     Thanks again…..

jack, 

that leaf shape remind me of my USDA/UCD Ischia White. tho, the color of the fig is totally different. thanks for the PM, this was a tree that i was looking for and forgotten about :) i just looked up Ischia Black just in case, but the fig looks different from Ischia Black. 

Jack,
IMO, that tree Looks to be a Celeste...
Check out some of the Celeste pictures in "Fig of the Day".

So why are the hula hoops hanging in that tree?  Did I miss something?  Do the birds think they are snakes?

Just curious....

Suzi

Good point Suzi.