This is my recent discovery in a Greek neighborhood in my city of Bethlehem, pennsylvania. I went fig hunting, and this tree caught my attention. It was very large and it seemed productive in our unusual late fig season.

It's the best tasting black fig I've had this summer so far.

Nice find indeed, that ripe fig i can just taste by looking at it!

Great find. Hope you can find out what it is from the owner. Sure looks delicious.

How is this fig doing this year?

I have one that was a started by Bass as a cutting and it is the biggest grower for me.  Almost as big as my 2 yr old trees.  It put on 3 nice size figs that i am hoping will ripen.

Congrats petea on your fig! I'm hoping that some of these come available soon. It is such a beautiful fig.

I've been away in california and haven't got a chance to check the mother tree yet. but last time I checked it the tree was growing nicely with no winter damage. It wasn't protected in winter, but it was planted close to a wall. It does seem to be a vigorous grower.

i have one as well, but it was pretty small when i got it, so it won't fruit this year.  i'm going to be going full-sun next year, versus the filtered sun i've been relegated due to odd growing conditions and travel schedule this year.

Bass , Ahh California. I went there last year and although I didn't see any figs (I was in Big Sur) I sure wish my climate was like that.

Today I harvested a first Black Bethlehem. The tree is in year one (Thanks Bass). No taste worth mentioning. I am hoping for two quarter-sized, taste worth mentioning figs next year.

Eight days ago...





Today...

Im sure it will taste much better when it matures. The flavor is really good of this variety. Its also cold hardy, Last year the tree was not protected and it survived the cold and had a nice crop.

Hi Bass.  Our Bethlehem Black made good progress this summer, and we should have some fruit next summer.  For many figs it takes some time for the flavor to develop.  This fig looks wonderful though, and I am certain it will be worth the wait.  This is a great find Bass.  Thanks.

Best wishes.

John

I had three ripe figs out of this tree in its first year in a one gallon pot. It was a huge grower for me. They had great flavor.  The last one i picked was Oct 30th and it was as sweet as it was in August.  Definitely a good variety to have.

Pete

Yum, looks good Bass... I think I want a Black Beth plant (and Ronde de Bordeux plant) to round out the fig collection for next year. Let me know if you selling any in spring when I come out to get the miracle fruit plant, otherwise I'll look out for cuttings you selling :)

So, has anyone else noticed the pinkish red tips on this tree? I find this trait to be common amongst some "genetically related" figs.

Something else that is unique or different about this tree from many others is the presence of white "freckles" all over the leaves when they harden off.

Here is a picture of the one I bought from Bass winter of 2009:

I have not really noticed those freckles on any fig leaf before.........will have to take a closer look at my trees. I have seen some dark figs with tiny white spots in the skin....don't recall what cultivar.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Nero has the white freckles on the fruit.  They show very well mid-way through the ripening process, when the fruit is more of a reddish purple.

Regarding last several posts.

Many dark types figs show white dots of various size early when fruit is green and when ripen.
As fruit turn darker they "may" be but not always more masked such as in Violet de Bordeaux where they turn a reddish-pinkisk color very pretty looking.
A few examples  - no pictures but of course i have them  ;)
Hardy Chicago
Sals
Negretta
Jolly Tiger
Dark Portuguese
Violet de Bordeaux
Ronde de Bordeaux
Santa Cruz

I purchased a Black Bethlehem from Bass about 18 months ago. I up-potted, fertilized, and limestoned this potted plant this spring (2011). The attached photographs were taken almost three weeks ago. Recently with the daily rains, it has exploded in size and has a buckshot splatter of figlets everywhere. To my surprise, it has produced more than forty-five (45) figlets. I counted because this particular growing season - using figlets produced not ripened as the metric, it is the most prolific fig tree I have. I have potted trees that are almost triple the size of the BB and others slight larger in the ground; however seventeen (17) figlets are the most on any of those trees.

Given the sage advice promulgated on this forum, I have read that more fruits dilutes the taste and drains the energy of younger - especially potted - trees, I have a few questions (with an interest in hearing from the container specialists) about the practice and the theory:

• This is the first time I have ever had a potential crop of this size. I am more interested  in quality versus quantity. If possible, I would like to develop habits and a routine that is a) manageable, b) maintainable, and c) that will promote regular high quality harvest in the future. Here is the point of all of these words: Would you advise that I reduce the load to ensure a high quality harvest?
  
• If so, by how much and why that much? If not, why not; did you test it from one year to the next? I would prefer to read about other experiences with Black Bethlehem as well as other varieties to have a reference for my actions.
• Has anyone done a side-by-side same year test of a fully loaded (untouched) versus load lighten (some percentage knocked off) fig tree and compared the taste?
• The tree is 2+ years old at most. Is BB normally this prolific at a young age?

You're lucky.... mine didn't fruit this year.  *sigh*  

I agree. Very fortunate to have this concern. Almost sent this as email/PM to a few folks like I normally do but I believe the answer(s) will be helpful to others like me with more than a few figs on a tree for the first time. Again, I am lucky to have this not-really-a-problem.

Hi JD.  My Black Bethlehem is a strong grower too, as is the Mavra Sika from Bass.

Great finds by Bass, and terrific editions to any fig collection.

Best wishes to all.

John

Glad it does well for you folks. Mine grew very nice last season and this.
But
Almost every fig is infected with the FMV virus .

Click pictures to enlarge.

My BB and MS both fruited this year.  I got one RdB and Kathleen Black ripening now too.  So far, the best tasting Black fig were Malta Black , Black Celeste, and VdB.  That could change after tasting KB and RdB in a few days.  I am starting to be like Martin and only favor dark fig.

This is my Black Betlehem fig tree--- 6 months years old.
I get cuttings from Bass on April this year-- :)
I hope the figs fully ripe on Chistmast ^^,