Hi everyone - first post - looks like an awesome site....thanks for everyone for taking the time out of your day to educate others!

So, I'm in central NJ / Ocean county and have been here 3 years now.  I have two fig trees in ground - guess I can say they look like good sized root systems at this point - they are re sprouting from the ground :-) but the chutes from last year don't look so hot....and I just purchased two new types of figs that look to be more like a tree (one long chute with fresh "branches") vs 20 new chutes coming from the ground....

Anyway, how does one "graft" the chutes / branches to grow new fig trees vs. paying out my nose for new ones each year?....because I would love to have 20 more :-)

Thanks!!!!

See Grafting

Welcome to the forum. One easy way to make additional trees is to take some of those many new sprouts and air layer them. Use the search button above on the menu and search "air layer". You'll be surprised how easy it is to make new trees. You can also take some of those sprouts and cut them while dormant, save them in the fridge and then root them over winter or early spring. I'd suggest the air layers to a beginner like you with lots of sprouts to practice on. It's quick and easy and you'll have new trees in a couple of months.
"gene"

Hi Pitangadiego
for the wedge graft should the rootstock be actively growing?
what about the scion?

Hi strenghtandhonor,
Welcome !
Do you have space ?
Why graft ? Why not root ?
The main advantage with fig trees is that they sucker easy and root "easy" from cuttings... So really no point to look into grafting IMO . Except for the fun of grafting that is .
I would consider grafting for propagating plums, cherries, apples ... As those do not root from cuttings.
But figs ! Just root them ... Now, you just need to find the cuttings :P
As for your trees :
1. If you want to propagate them, then just separate the suckers . Take them with roots.
2. If you want them more tree shaped, tell them ! with your pruning sheers ! I know , I know... It is heart breaking ...

Or you can protect them over the winter.  http://www.treesofjoy.com/content/wrapping-fig-tree-winter

There are many other ways of doing it.  Search on winter protection.

Thanks everyone.  I have a lot of learning to do.  

In all honesty, (gulp) last year I just took my shovel and took a "root and chute" chunk off of one of my bigger plants then re-planted it.  The original tree is doing great but the "chunk one" looked dead but is just starting to get a few little green buds / bumps this week near the bottom....

I need to learn air layering vs grafting vs rooting - no idea how to properly do any of them but am going to research based upon info provided here....opinions of which is the easiest is appreciated!

I prefer to put my figs in the ground....water, fertilzer and mulch of course but with so much to do I'm no pro and in all honesty looking for the easier way out - for now.  I'm definitely not afraid of hard work but need to prioritize life "stuff" with three young kids.....I'm sure as I learn I will become meticulous (like I try to do with a lot of other things).  I planted about 20 fruit trees and plan to grab more on clearance as fall comes around :-)  The fig plants are darn expensive so I thought I'd try and learn more about the best - and then the easiest - ways to make new fig trees out of what I already have instead of buying new ones.

Currently I have two large "black" fig trees in the ground that used to be in pots - but they are growing with tons of chutes from the ground instead of like a tree....not sure if that is a bad thing or not.  I just planted a brown turkey fig and a white one of some sort that I got at Lowes - they are like smaller trees and not multiple chutes out of the ground.  I also just ordered three additional brown turkey figs online from an ebay seller in florida so will have 7 fig trees by this weekend.  I have several acres of land and don't mind putting it to good use with more trees!! :-)