This afternoon, while shopping at Walmart, I struck up conversation with a woman there, named Martha, about the little fig trees i'm starting, along with hopes and plans for them. She told me that her Aunt, who is 84 years old, has had a fig tree growing in her garden area for many, many years.

This fig tree, according to Martha, is nearly 7 feet tall, and about 6 feet wide. (My guess is that it probably isn't pruned much, due to the age of the owner.) She said that the fruit is small and dark, purple to nearly black in color, and that it tastes absolutely delicious, amazing! She nearly swooned in the aisle at the thought of how good these figs are! :) Anyway, the tree produces faithfully and abundantly every year.

Martha gave me the number of her Aunt, and said that she would probably be glad to give me a couple of cuttings!!! I would offer, in exchange, some of my goji berry bushes, mulberry tree cuttings, or an extra fig cutting of my own if she wanted it. The Aunt also knows much about wild edibles, gardening, foraging, and it sounds like we'll have quite a bit in common.

Anyway, I was so thrilled after this, and am greatly looking forward to gathering my first cuttings from an unknown fig tree.

Clues:
Small Growth
Smallish Fruit
Purple to nearly Black in color
Absolutely delicious
Reliable producer every year despite summer humidity here

It's early to say, and I haven't even seen it, but any ideas on what it might be? And if okay with the owner, would it hurt the tree to collect a few cuttings at this time of year? Or better in the spring or summer? Wish I had a camera to record what I find, but will update....
LJ

Oh how exciting.  Where are you again LJ?  I found a great old tree in Phx last week too.  I am anxious to get to know it too.  This is such a fun adventure into the amazing world of Ficus carica.  ;-)  

Very cool. I hope it works out!  Sharing knowledge is a joy.

Great story. Can't wait for the update

Oh yes, Jodi, very exciting! I'm located in Virginia, and the tree should be no more than 5-10 minutes from my front door. hehe

Ii had no idea there were any fig trees growing around here, so this came as a great surprise. What have you found out about the Phx tree?

It's strange to me that, despite growing up in the country with a huge garden, and in fact practicing gardening one way or another and foraging for most of my life, I knew little about figs and can't recall ever having seen any type of fig tree except for my much-loved fiddle leaf fig houseplant years ago! As much as figs are actually grown across the country, it's just puzzling that I'd never come across a single one until determining that I needed to start growing my own food for several important reasons, and then finding those first little plants on Ebay :) It feels as though i'm taking some kind of crash course on Ficus carica and embarking on a whole new venture for the new year~

Thanks Noel and newbie! I appreciate the good thoughts and wishes...
To healthy food and plants for us all in the new year! :)
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In norfolk VA and tidewater (warmer) parts of the commonwealth figs are more common. Had a friend there whose fig tree was a bunch of big sprouts taking over his yard.

I sometimes wonder about the "BT" I planted in my parents yard ( house long ago sold)...bought at a Home Quarters in the 90's...is it still alive?

LJ, I hope you find a nice tree and make an even better friend.

Hi, LJFiggy: great story! Get some photos of the complete tree and the owner if possinle. Also take closeups if the leaves abd figs if it has any growing when you go. I am a compkete newbie at figs but im pretty sure that cuttings taken at dormancy is best. I had a similar situation when I cam accross a very nice fig tree...I posted my story and photos here http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/brown-turkey-cuttings-trade-7794665?pid=1289875589

So according to F4f members, this does NOT look like a BT. Looking back I believe its totally not a BT. I am still working on my connection with the owners for future cuttings...we'll see :-)

Do share more of your story, please!
Meg

Hi Meg....thanks for your input :) Your account is similar to mine, especially as the tree is located nearby. Those fruits look sooo delicious!! I did more reading on the BT after looking at your photos, and the subject of all the varieties is very complex.

Some of the types are on this link when you click on B: http://figs4fun.com/Varieties.html
And here are a lot of photos of how different they can actually look: http://figs4fun.com/Thumbnail_Brown_Turkey.html

I'm not familiar enough with varieties of figs to know what type yours is, but would put stock in what general consensus is by those more knowledgeable. And whatever its name actually is, your fig has some real positives going for it. The flavor is exceptional and you don't have to guess whether it would be compatible with your area, as the tree is obviously healthy and producing!

Did you save any cuttings for yourself? If not, I hope you can get a few more in order to grow a tree just like it at your place, and have plenty of those fruits for yourself, with enough to share if you choose to!

I didn't call the Aunt today, as I was so busy and have felt a bit under the weather. Speaking of which, it has rained nearly nonstop for two weeks! But I plan to call her later this week, and will definitely keep you updated. And i'll need to get a camera in order to share photos of my find...
:) LJ