Fig Tree Under Siege

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cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1395290517	Reply with quote #1

I was just admiring my favorite little potted fig tree yesterday, noticing how blemish free and vigorous it is (was). I know it was fine yesterday. Not today. I went to give my potted figs their first taste of fertilizer for the season, only to discover that my best tree was molested by some no good, low down, yellow bellied, fig hater! It really looks more like somebody took a blade and whittled off about 1/3 each of the main branch and of the only side branch. The leaves are already starting to droop in response to this insult. As usual, looking for advice on what to do here. This is not the same tree I had proposed grafting last week. Although, now I think this tree is the graft candidate. I was thinking of just dressing each of the two wounds with some damp moss and hoping a couple air layers will take off. Then, I would cut the original tree down to a nub and start over. Would it be better to air layer or just leave this alone and hope it heals? By the way, this tree was rooted almost exactly a year ago. It is in a 3 1/2 gallon container of very good soil. The roots are exploding in the pot, and it will need transplant before the end of the season. The above-ground part of the tree is a little over 2 feet. The type of fig is an unknown white. Does the double air layer sound like a good plan? Any other ideas? By the way, who the hell did this? Possible candidates are rabbits, ground squirrels, weasels, raccoon, coyotes or possums. Who done it? __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1395291413	Reply with quote #2

Sorry about it! Rodent..rabbit or maybe a squirrel of sorts. I think the double air layer would work well, if the leaves continue to look stressed you could remove some of the lower ones to lessen the load if need be. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1395292587	Reply with quote #3

This tree has been in full sun since mid summer last year, but I wonder if recovery would be easier if I move her into an area that only gets morning sun. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1395293206	Reply with quote #4

brush melted Paraffin and let it be, don't do anything else to it, it will recover. Good luck Paul.

PhilaGardener

Registered:1389014416
Posts: 199

Posted 1395311905	Reply with quote #5

If nothing else, the wounding may stimulate a bud lower down on that main trunk. How about waxing the main trunk and air layering that side branch (which looks like it may be more extensively damaged around its circumference)? Keep us posted as to which experiment works best! You may want to wrap the trunks of other figs to protect them from more attacks (squirrel? rabbit?) Good luck! __________________ Philadelphia Gardener Near Philly, but winters still feeling like Zone 6!

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1395314969	Reply with quote #6

My first thought was that a deer was the culprit. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

rafed

Registered:1252876934
Posts: 5,308

Posted 1395315973	Reply with quote #7

There's enough bark on the side branch to where you can tie the end of the bag to air layer. There is enough bark on the main stem as well to do the same. If all goes well you could end up with three trees in a couple months. Or you can brush latex paint on the wounds to protect them from contamination and help seal them. But wipe the area with alcohol first to clean and disinfect first. Good luck

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1395319227	Reply with quote #8

Look in and around grass area for rabbit poop if it was a rabbit it will be back.

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1395321345	Reply with quote #9

time for conejo con higos en rioja. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

greysmith

Registered:1394039826
Posts: 254

Posted 1395321825	Reply with quote #10

I feel for you. When I moved to KY I started getting critter damage in a big way. I put out a whole row of wineberries and had them all nipped off just above the ground. Not eaten, just cut cleanly off and left lay. I'm pretty sure it's deer. These are an old variety of raspberry that's very thorny. There's a native black raspberry (with few thorns) around that doesn't get this kind of damage, but does get some gnawing like I see from rabbits in the orchard. And then there's blackberries (with wicked thorns and bitter berries) that nobody seems to bother. Wineberries in pots weren't touched even though they were wide open. I've had to fence the garden, raspberry bed, and select trees. I'd bet you've got rabbit damage. I fenced my garden with 2" chicken wire. And I've watched rabbits, about the size of ponies go through it without slowing down. When I tore it all out and replaced it with 1" chicken wire suddenly I could grow beans. Back in NC I got infested with bear. That's one you really don't want. I had to give up on bee hives. But, with mulberries as sacrifice plants I was able to save the cherries that ripened at the same time. I was hoping figs wouldn't attract varmints. You are not reassuring me. It could be heffalumps, I think they come out of hibernation this time of year. The worst thing for varmints is chickens. Everything eats chickens. From my experience once you start getting damage you'll keep getting damage till you find the solution. Good luck with that. __________________ S central KY, zone 6b

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1395323502	Reply with quote #11

Hi, Sorry for you ! For me, it is not a rabbit, because rabbits would cut the stems. A deer is my best guess . I would rub clay-dirt on the wounds . When installing my winter protections I myself removed a bit of bark. I just rubbed dirt over that area and the tree is fine. Later on you could decide to airlayer - but that shouln't be mandatory - the tree can recover from that ... If it does not get attacked more in the future ... So for now your priority should be to protect the tree from future damages - just my way to manage that situation - I would set traps around ... But I only have rodents and have no deers ... __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1395337084	Reply with quote #12

We don't have deer here. I don't know why. Seems like a good place for them. It is such a strange wound. It really looks more like a mechanical cut... as if somebody took a swipe at it with a sharp metal object. An 11 year old boy with a penchant for constructing weapons could be a suspect. The wound on the main branch seems to have only removed the outer rind. I know trees don't "heal", but it will callus over and by the time the tree grows to full size, it will be insignificant. So, I might try to just clean that one up and wrap tightly with grafting tape. The side branch is much worse. I know you can't tell from my camera phone picture, but at the deepest point of the wound, it is cut to the center. Seems like the side branch is better candidate for air layer, since it is not really an ideal branch to begin with. Since I don't have time to deal with this until the weekend, I made a temporary field dressing. I wrapped each wound in damp paper towels and then wrapped tightly with plastic cling wrap. I also moved the plant to the north wall of the house where it won't be in direct sunlight. In a way, accidents like these keep things interesting. Thanks for all the ideas so far. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1395339490	Reply with quote #13

Get a dog. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1395340021	Reply with quote #14

Paul, around here in some areas with rabbit problems they do that to bushes(or any other small woody tree) but mostly in the winter. I have known people with large expensive landscaping that hired me to come do some handiwork with a BB gun. Easy money. Greysmith, I hear you! Once you have chickens it doesn't take to long to figure out why we and everything else eats them. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

milehighgirl

Registered:1382109709
Posts: 284

Posted 1395343882	Reply with quote #15

I agree with the machete theory. The blade came down and took off a node then kept slicing down until it embedded into the scaffolding branch. So sorry! __________________ USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1395343984	Reply with quote #16

Voles will eat anything just like rabbits. We circle every single plant with about a foot of gopher wire to prevent these attacks. Bummer. Good luck! Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1395346802	Reply with quote #17

Oh yes, we have voles, gophers, weasels, ground squirrels, field mice, egrets... but sounds like I might need to start checking for evidence of fig tree residue on any of my son's improvised weapons. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1395350319	Reply with quote #18

I may be wrong but (a wild guess) it appears that something hard bodied object dragged through the V-shape of the plant from close to below the camera position causing bruises on both parts of the V. I said a wild guess!! When my children use to see me upset with a damaged plant, they would say the raccoons have also the right to look for food to survive. __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

leon_edmond

Registered:1188903453
Posts: 923

Posted 1395391963	Reply with quote #19

Be careful trying to air layer both the side and the main branch together on such a young tree. I tried the same and killed the plant. I would air layer the side branch and then paint some pruning sealer(like a black tar)over the wound on the main trunk. Once the side branch roots and you separate the air layer, then try air layering the main branch later. The wound on the main trunk is not circumferential so no problem. Your tree will survive. After you have air layered the side branch, place it in a box and mail it to me as soon as possible! I will PM you my address. LOL!

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1395674650	Reply with quote #20

I am cross posting this here and here since the two topics have become related. Tree #1 and #2 are both clones from the same mother and are about the same size with about the same branch structure (2 foot main trunk with one side shoot). #1 was going to Boston where it will be raised in bush form in a pot that will be stored in a garage or shed for the winter. I was considering taking air layers from #1 before shipping since it will be pruned to bush form anyway. I turned to this group to help me decide if and how I should do this. Since then, tree #2 was attacked by something. For a while, I thought it may have been a mechanical wound from something being dropped on the tree or thrown at it. However, close inspection of the wound proved to me that this was not a knife cut. The edges of the wound are uneven - no straight edges - much more like a rodent gnawing. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, the decision was made for me: the wounded tree now needs to be air layered. So, tree #1 will be left to grow into tree form. The central leader has been growing vigorously in the past week and the lower branch is no longer competing. On #2 (wounded tree), the side branch is cut so deeply that I feel it would be better to air layer it off. The central leader only has the outer rind stripped off, so it will probably be fine. So, I didn't have any more moss on hand. Instead, I split open a couple Root Riot cubes and placed them over the wound (no rooting hormone or anything). I then wrapped those up with plastic cling wrap. Finally, I bound the whole thing (fairly tightly) with grafting tape. For the main trunk, I simply wrapped tightly in grafting tape. The tree is in the shade for now, so I did not bother with aluminum foil (didn't have any anyway). __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1400976464	Reply with quote #21

So it's been 60 days since my last post about this. After wrapping it up, I placed the tree under the shade of a tangelo tree and mostly neglected it. I did unwrap the Root Riot bundle after about 4 weeks. There was no sign of activity and it felt a little slimy. I removed the Root Riot, cleaned off the branch, and brushed on some Clonex. I replaced the Root Riot, wrapped it up in cling wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. I checked again a couple weeks later and the Root Riot had gone bone dry. I spritzed it with some water and re-wrapped it. Last week, I unwrapped it and these fat roots had appeared. These are not the same as roots from cuttings. These were like fat little worms! I snipped off the rooted branch and stuck it in half a gallon of Pro Mix. I stripped off the fruit. I also gave it a tablespoon of bone meal and a dash of B1. It has been sitting in partial shade for a week and the leaves haven't drooped or anything. I'm pretty happy with the results. I have two trees now! I'm looking forward to some fruit ripening this year so that you guys can help me identify what kind of tree this is. Attached Images FigUpdate01.jpg (489.39 KB, 18 views) FigUpdate02.jpg (291.88 KB, 16 views) FigUpdate03.jpg (335.75 KB, 16 views) __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

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