Stopped by a nursery in Longview Tx today and looked at the current inventory.  Two things of note, how bad the condition of the trees, and the prices.  They had Kadota, LSU Purple, Celeste, Brown Turkey, one labelled "Black Italian".  All except the Black Italian were in three gallon pots and priced at $52.95 with the Italian being in a two gallon and being priced at $27.95.  I think all were second year growth, with no roots showing.  I don't know about prices any where else but I believe these prices are high.  They happen to be the only trees in Longview right now but these were not recently priced to reflect any shortage.  I would really expect these trees to be in the $19.95-$24.95 range, in good condition.

Curious to see how these prices compare to other areas.

1. BTW- I am a capitalist and believe that a price should reflect value and I do not begrudge anyone making profit. I support market driven trade.

If they put the LSU Purple, Celeste, and Black Italian on Ebay, they'd go for a lot more!!

Suzi

Locally it varies. I started this entire cutting thing looking for one black mission fig tree. The 'cheap' nursery was selling them in 1 gallon pot for $25. They were one year old, about 2-3' tall, with no branching. I passed.

That's crazy expensive.  Those aren't even hard to get varieties.  Without getting off track, remember that a successful "capitalist" will sell a product for the most money the market is willing to spend.

As a side note, I will sell any of my 5 gallon potted trees, fully rooted for $400 each! One gallon fully rooted on sale for $150.  Wide variety of selection too! PM for details!!!!

LOL  Hell, if people will pay that much, I will charge that much!

Danny....

Up in New York State, these quoted prices are competitive...but, I have never seen LSU Purple being offered....ever.

I also believe that the market should get the prices that growers are willing to pay.  I would also "suggest" to the nursery manager that his profits are slowly going out the window if he has to maintain those figs until next season, and hope they still look decent enough to sell at his asking prices.  Then I would offer a slightly lower price...in cash.  If they are smart, they'll take your money, rather than the gamble.  Bargaining is also part of the free-market system.

Happy hunting.

Frank

for 1 gallon here its around 15-25$, one place told me 85 for a 5 gallon and I laughed at them.

I used to also laugh when garden centers asked a high price for something I wanted.  It all depends on what's being sold, and how much your "comfort-zone" is for the item.

Back in 2007 I purchased some "Atreano" trees from a local nursery.  The trees were in 3 gallon pots, and were grown well.  The trees  were between 4-6ft. tall, and each already had set a huge main-crop of figs.  I knew that if I didn't screw up, I would be eating figs at the end of the season.  The trees were $49.00 each, plus a 20% discount.  I bought them, and paid the price. I still have the trees, and they doubled in production.  They were a bargain.  I didn't have to nurse a small cutting and wait 3-5 years for figs.  The trees were old enough to be overwintered in a storage shed.  And, my PERSONAL TIME is worth something.  I didn't want to grow, wait, and then hope for some twig to produce figs!  Now, I let someone else take all the risks, and pay the prices...if, I want the item badly enough.  The seller is happy, and, I'm happy.  We both win.


Frank

everyone needs to make some profit.. that's what makes the world go around.. with bit of love thrown into the mix.

Again, I am not begrudging the profit, I am merely checking the prices, I was not buying or I would have made an offer.  The market drives the price, there is a reason that all other vendors are out of figs and these are still there.  It is a combination of price and condition.

I think to Frank's point, that you are buying time, and that is worth it to some, I like the growing part of it so the time to harvest is not really an issue with me.  I waited 10 years for a stupid fig tree to produce 1fig, it was pretty, in a good spot, and I am glad I waited, it is now a prolific tree.  I hauled that tree from Florida to Texas as it was my first tree.

capitalism is also the iphone retailing for 600 $ or so when the ipad's price is $400. With a way larger screen and battery I believe the latter to be quite more expensive to make (probably the cell phone radio chip is very very inexpensive to add). 

That nursery can not compete with what you can buy at Lowes or HD. Danny, you can always ask them why their prices are so high for plants in not such great shape.

Market driven trade  with no regulation is old and is something contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire:

http://www.rome.info/history/empire/fall/

Unemployment
During the latter years of the empire farming was done on large estates called latifundia that were owned by wealthy men who used slave labor. A farmer who had to pay workmen could not produce goods as cheaply. Many farmers could not compete with these low prices and lost or sold their farms. This not only undermined the citizen farmer who passed his values to his family, but also filled the cities with unemployed people. At one time, the emperor was importing grain to feed more than 100,000 people in Rome alone. These people were not only a burden but also had little to do but cause trouble and contribute to an ever increasing crime rate.

Military Spending
Maintaining an army to defend the border of the Empire from barbarian attacks was a constant drain on the government. Military spending left few resources for other vital activities, such as providing public housing and maintaining quality roads and aqueducts. Frustrated Romans lost their desire to defend the Empire. The empire had to begin hiring soldiers recruited from the unemployed city mobs or worse from foreign counties. Such an army was not only unreliable, but very expensive. The emperors were forced to raise taxes frequently which in turn led again to increased inflation.

Maybe I should restate the question- Would our members please provide me with the prices for the referenced fig trees in your local market?  Guesses are acceptable, we all know about what our local prices are.

Disclaimer- I am not buying these trees, if I made an offer it would be $5.00, one,because I don't need or want them, and secondly, the condition is really bad on all these trees.

I know curiosity killed the cat, I guess this my curiosity is going to get me as well.

Down here 3-gal figs go for abt $39. 1-gal for abt $10

The local supermarket had 3-gallon brown turkeys for $40 a pop this spring.