I have a few bears that roam around looking for something to eat. They usually get the garbage and dig through the burn pile. They don't bother anyone. The worst thing they do is make the dogs bark. I have a fence around part of my property and usually keep the fig trees in there but this year I put them outside the fence in the driveway. I figured the heat from the gravel and bricks would help the trees but now I'm not sure that is a good idea. When the figs start to ripen I'm concerned the bears might eat them to fatten up for winter. Has anyone ever had a problem with bears eating their figs and destroying their trees? I'd like to keep them where they're at but if would be dangerous (to the trees) then they'll have to be moved. I never really gave it much thought til a few days ago.

Not your average problem fig eater. I think I would fence them in and electrify the fence while your at it

Tony if i had problems with bears in vicinity of my figs they would get real fat cause i would not get in there way.
Only thing i worry about is Rafed coming in my yard for now no bears -sorry.

Last year there was a report in Philly about a bear they had a Video of it raiding some ones tree. Think it was in bucks county area.

Martin that could I fact be a problem. And if a bear and Rafed got into it my money's on Rafed 

Martin, Maybe you need to tie a bear up in your yard to keep Rafed away:) WARNING: Guard Bear on duty!

Well i would just run in house and lock the doors. Wait I could send out my little yorky he will stand up to anything.
Crazy dog .

Celt, there have been several recent bear sitings in the burbs. Currently we have a wolf-dog hybrid roaming the neighborhood, just a couple blocks from me in the park. The neighbors were feeding it hotdogs, some animal group or state cops trying to trap it and put it in a wolf sanctuary.  

....."I'll Take Manhattan....The Bronx, ...and, Staten Island Too".....

I sang this loud and clear when I read about your wildlife "problems".  But then realized...I have to deal with the two-legged animals where I live... mostly, herds of filthy pigs...and feral, Homo sapiens.

At least your animals act as nature intended.


Frank

Oh we have that kind of animal as well, sorry to say.

BLB....

Yes, Im sorry too.  But, you're in Philly...need I say more?

However, if I suggest a remedy, using my "Bronx vernacular", my posting(s) would be censored, or deleted by the good manager of this forum.

Bears, squirrels, and such, are a nusance...but, temporary....but our problems, just get worse.

Frank

Tony: I'm worried now too.
My 2 semi-dwarf peach trees had a nice crop of almost ripe peaches- stripped clean this morning. I suspect raccoons and squirrels, but there was a black bear a couple miles away in 2007. I will check for bear tracks.
Unfortunately the Remington 870 is not an option in suburbia.
Frank: The Bronx- lived there done that, I'll take the raccoons!

I'm siding with the "electric fence" folks.  Years ago we were camping in a tent, with our truck and it's shell close by.  We hear all these banging pans and shouts, and against the light from flashlights, there is this huge reflection of a standing bear against the canvas of the tent.  After the frey died down, we found out a bear broke into our camper, and stole food.  Took a while to figure out he took our Oreos!

We were advised to move the truck and back it up to a big tree away from where it was.  Bears remember, and "he'll be back!" 

I'd definitely move the figs.  Early summer shuffle!
Suzi

I'm used to the pigs...but now the North-East Bronx, and surrounding areas have been invaded by green parrots!  Parrots!  They live in large flocks, and build their nests out of twigs and small branches, mostly on telephone poles near the power transformers...for the warmth?...but their favorite place to nest is in, and around, the huge banks of tall lights that are found in Little-Leauge fields, etc.  The nests must be 6-8 ft long, and hundreds of these parrots form huge colonies.  I think they are called Monk, or, Quaker Parrots.  You-Tube shows these birds in some videos.  I hope they do not find my fig trees.

Frank

The best thing to do would be to make sure there are no additional attractants that might bring the bear around prior to fruit ripening.  Attractants would include trash, bird feeders, pet foods.  Also if you have a grill make sure it is clean (no fatty residues).  If a bear finds foods once on your property it will return to look for more.

The electric fence is a good idea to keep the bear away from the tree.  Just make sure the electric fence is placed so that it is at least three feet from your figs. Remember if a bear decides to eat your figs he will not be gentle and will likely break branches/Stems.

A nonelectrified fence is not a real bear deterent as they climb readily.  They work primarily off of their sense of smell.

Good Luck

Emmm bear in fig sauce,  BBQ'd in Martins backyard.
Wonder what kind of wine I should use? Hmmm?

White wine of course and white fig sauce too

White fig sauce, Perfect!

The more I think of it and from what everyone is saying, I am going to move them to the other side of the fence. Even if I make sure there is nothing else to attract them one of my neighbors aren't the best at keeping their (well... to put lightly, their) crap in containers and keeping things clean. The trash keeps alot of trash! Better safe than sorry.
 If I shoot one I'll invite everyone over for bear steaks with some of that famous white figgy sauce and white wine. Hmmm mmm