I just discovered that if you cut the leaves out the way your figs will ripen even and faster. I have a becnel black. Produces lots of figs close to the stem. The leaves cover them from most of the sun light. By taking a few off that are covering them made a huge difference.

Richard, I saw a video about this a few years ago. But most people I talked with said it was a bad idea.

Can you say whether or not the figs thus ripened still taste as good and rich?

I only pulled about 7 big leaves off. Figs are better. The sun hits them so when they are ripe the sugar is condensed. skin wrinkles etc. I pulled the sun blocking leaves off. The figs had so much cover only the top of figs were getting ripe. The leaves on this tree are very dark green and thick. They feel fake. They dont bend very easily.

What about taste? Do they taste better or the same as the ones that ripened before you started picking leaves?

Better they are fully ripe. Skin shrinks and cracks. This tree is only four feet high and loaded with figs and lots of leaves. More the a average fig. Post i pic tomorrow.

Richard,
I have a tree from the Becnel Nursery labeled 'Native Black' , is this the variety you have or are they two different figs?
Tom
New Orleans