Long time lurker on this forum. First time poster. I can't say thanks enough for the great resource y'all have created.

Growing up my grandparents had a huge celeste in their yard. Recently, I pulled their old house up on google maps and it looks like the tree is still there. I would really love to take a cutting so I could keep the tree in the family and even pass it on the my children. Has anyone ever knocked on a random house and asked to take cuttings from a fig tree? How did it go?

Also, does anyone have a "family" tree thats been passed down the generations? Anyone that can trace it back overseas from some of the early migrations to America. I would love to hear stories if anyone has some.

welcome to the forum.

i think number of forum members have done that. you'll never know unless you ask :)

I love visiting the P Patches. I pick up free plants and adopted them in the past, so I started asking for the giant fig suckers and inquire what the figs were..well, about 4 people told me the tree needed the suckers and I could not have them...hum... so I kept coming back...one day, I found an old man who cared for those figs and he told me "more power to the fig", help yourself. gave me a shovel, and bucket...w the generosity, I got a couple, since he did not know what kind the fig was, I did not want take too many. 
  However, when I knock on doors, I have my pick up line:... sorry, I got the courage to ask you about that beautiful fig tree... usually that is enough to engage and get the 'rooted sucker'.  I found that for sure would give me figs that are growing well in this area, even without knowing what they are.   So, I will have lots of surprises. 

my last one.. the dude came out and I asked him... and he looked at me so puzzled and said.. What? a fig Tree?  I have no idea I have one... the tree was about  15 feet tall- he has just bought the house... I pointed the sucker and told him how to not cut the branches too much  and he was very interested and happy to have a tree he had no clue about it.

Bring a bottle of wine with you...then ask.  Tell them you collect special, "heirloom" figs. They probably will be flattered by the attention.   Also offer to start some rooted cuttings for their family members.  You can also offer, after the initial, explanatory spiel, to "prune, and shape the tree for better fig production".  Once you have access to the tree, go at it.  Make sure that when your done doing your fig 'thing", that you leave them the bottle of wine as a friendly gesture.  Quid pro quo.

If you can, throw on some mystical, air-layers.  They will be fascinated by this process, and in 6-8 weeks, you could go back and collect your new trees.  Leave a few treelets for the owners too.

Just some ideas.

Good luck.


Frank

Do it all the time, That is why locally they call me the fig hunter, I also have a small card that is in Spanish asking if I can have a cutting.

Many have heard this story before...

I knocked on a door and the gentleman who lived in the house let me have cuttings (he had just pruned his tree).  As a thank you, I took him a tree I had propagated from one of my own.  The third time I knocked on his door, he told me he had planted the tree I gave him at his brother's grave.  I was supremely honored.  I've knocked on his door many times since then to visit with him for a few minutes.  He even recognizes me now.  ;)

Do it. It took me a long time, but I finally figured out you rarely get something you haven't asked for (common cold aside).  Ask. They can only say yea or nay.

I am in the process of acquiring cuttings from my families tree - they still live there!  The tree is 80+ years old. My Mom sent some cuttings in the spring, unfortunately they didn't make it:(  But!!  I will try again.  I thought I wanted the one tree I purchased last winter - boy was I wrong lol.

I found one tree in my area and knocked on the door several times over the summer but no one ever answered.  I will do it again if the occasion arises.

Hello Addison,

Welcome to the forum. I was also a lurker.

I always "randomly" introduce myself politely and ask about the name and history of the fig tree. I then ask for cutting or to check back for cuttings. Usually the owners will offer a few figs for a taste, and cuttings. I find that most fig growers (gardeners) are quite generous.

If you explain the history of your grandparent's tree to the current owners, they may even let you air layer a few limbs (you may have to explain air layering).

I do not have an ethnic or family history with figs, so no personal stories, I just like growing edible plants.

Good Luck.

My dad has a tree he's had since 1966  (in America, not the old country).  I've propagated it, and given trees to my kids and my siblings.  I've seen a few stories on here from people who have trees from the old country(ies), so I'm sure there are lots of good stories on here about family trees.  I met a guy in Rochester, NY who has trees that his family brought from Italy to Brooklyn, and he has the clonal offspring with him now.  I've met several nice people around the state by knocking on their doors and telling them how much I've admired their fig trees... most are happy to let me take cuttings, and I usually offer them something in return  (a small tree from my family fig tree, or something else apropos to the occasion).  I was only rebuffed a few times... (in which case I just try to be polite, and if they're upset then I apologize, back off, and don't return).  Most have been good experiences, especially with the "little old guys" who want to tell me their stories.  

I've learned a few interesting techniques for winter protection this way too (a real issue here in cold snowy central NY state).  One older fellow planted all his trees at an angle of about 45 degrees (or shallower), and in the fall he'd hang a cinder block from each trunk, gradually shortening the rope as they bent down.  After about a month, they'd be laying almost on the ground, and then he'd heap rags, old rugs, old quilts, insulation, and a tarp over them, putting stones on top of the tarp.  He lives on a hill that faces south, and they're planted close to the south side of a brick house.  In the spring, he uncovers them and they spring back up to a 35 or 45 degree angle.  He gets lots of figs.

I've also learned a little bit of Italian from this activity.  Great fun.  

Mike   central NY state, zone 5