Hi,
I thought I would share some pictures of the beginnings of a long term 'fig project' I have started on. I am relatively new to fig growing, but have read a lot about it on the internet. One thing I read about is the practice of training a tree to grow against the surface of a wall that is refered to as espalier. Having the thermal mass of a wall on the south side of a building helps create a micro climate that helps plants grow and ripen fruit over a longer period of time.

Anyway, one of the three pictures is of the south facing front of the school I work for. My project involves covering all of the concrete between the upper and lower windows with figs!

The other two pictures are of the oldest fig plant that I take care of, it has been in ground for 2 summers, and was started from cutting the previous fall (bad time to start them I have since learned, after very many failures). It is from a plant that has lived at least 50 years here in Salt Lake City that produces small to medium size rich tasting yellow skinned with amber pulp figs. The parent plant gets only the protection of a house on its north side. I don't know the variety name of this plant.

The pictures show how flexible the plants stem is. This plant has a girth of over 1.25 inch at the base, and I am amazed that it could be bent over so sharply. From where it is now, I expect it to take 1 or 2 years to train to the top of the lower windows, and then a couple more to really fill in that empty concrete area. I also plan to plant more varieties every 15 feet or so along the front of the building, to allow full coverage. I will also be making some patterns in the way the branches are trained, so it looks interesting in winter.

If any one has any suggestions on how to make this project a success, let me know.

Thanks!

What an ambitious undertaking, wow.   Also sounds like a fun project especially if you have the time. I have a similar project in mind but not on that scale.

I have only one concern about your project, and that is that of having the main trunk of the tree way out in front of whats going to be the upright limbs. Its seems that it might be very susceptible to damage  especially by mower or maintenance people.  I would think having the trunk closer to the wall and having the branches spread like a candelabra in line with the trunk would be safer for the trees. Just my thoughts and I wish you great luck with it.

Ambitious indeed!

I'm curious about the 50-year old tree--where is it located? I get up to Salt Lake City once in a while to visit family and friends, and if the tree's in an accessible location I'd like to go see it next time I'm in town.

How cold does it get in the winter there?

Gene: Yes the plant is about 30 inches out from the building. There is another 20 inches or so to the edge of the lawn, so it has a bit of a buffer zone to protect it. I planted this one before I learned about espalier, and as I plant more along the 160 foot frontage of the school, I plan to plant them closer. And, since I AM the 'maintenance people' until I am gone you can bet it won't get hit with a mower, and by then I hope it is much too big to get hurt!

Ken: one of the 50+ year old fig trees is located in an easy to find spot. On the west side of Capitol Hill, on Center Street just south of 500 North. At that point Center Street is about 240 West, so a good way to find it is go to 300 West and 500 North, then turn East (uphill) and go to Center Street, turn right (South) and the tree is in a large area of lawn between the road and the sidewalk on the East side of the road about 100 feet south from 500 North.

Martin: It gets pretty darn cold here. Usually the cold temperatures get down in the low teens, although sometimes it drops into single digits and has been as low as zero fahrenheit for short periods, below zero is even more rare, but also has happened here. But mostly during the coldest times night lows get down around 10-15 and daytime highs get up to 20-25.

bluesguy welcome and I hope you will enjoy the forum.

Also, I am guessing you are referring to that tree (google street view)

Nice job of getting us to the tree, Montreal. It's amazing what's available at our fingertips. Thanks.

Bluesguy & Montreal--

Thanks for the directions! Any closer, and I could probably pick a fig from here. I'll plan to go see it next time I'm in SLC.

There are pix from Ken Love of Hawaii about how they are espaliered in Japan. Search for"Japan" on the Fig Links page at Figs 4 Fun. Very interesting.