Last summer I took a quick  fig census in a part of town that was at one time home to a lot of Italian immigrants but that is now populated mostly by college students. I found four in ground figs during my 30-minute or so walk. My plan was to go back over the winter to see if any of the trees was left uncovered. I was hoping to find some hardy trees.

 I checked back over the weekend and found one missing--probably buried--and three in ground and unprotected. Two of the trees were shrubby and looked like they hadn't been cared for in years. I took a viable-looking green cutting from the more robust looking of the two, which happened to have a branch poking through the fence (the low the night before was 9F). The third tree was shaped like an actual tree and had been pruned recently. It was about six feet tall and a few inches around at the base. It stood along side a house that sits on a lot on top of a little hill with a fence enclosing the yard.

When I want to ask for cuttings from someone in my neighborhood, I usually wait until I see someone in the yard to ask. This house is on the other side of town from me, so driving by until I see someone isn't really practical. I think the owner's elderly. Anyone have advice on cuttings etiquette? Should I knock on the door or send a letter or something? To get to the door, I'd have to open a gate and walk some distance through the yard and up a set of stairs to the house. It's not a bad neighborhood, but it's one where I could see the year-round residents, especially the older ones, being a little wary of strangers.

I would do it in person. Maybe take a small plant, or picture of some fruit you grow, or some other token that indicates, easily, that you are a gardening person and not a whack job. Maybe some fresh bread or cookies, or what ever as a token of friendship. Maybe dress up a little (not a suit...) as a sign of respect and non-whackiness. I am guessing some will respond positively, and some won't. Put your best foot forward, and be thankful for the ones you win.

Excellent advice, Jon. Thanks!

I started giving a few small Marseilles Black fig trees away to a few friends and neighbours.  They know others with unknown green and black fig trees and gave me thier information.  Some have asked me to come by and prune their tree.  So, next month I will be pruning and collecting fig cuttings and I know it will be a lot.

Matt,

I think Jon hit the nail on the head with everything he said. Looking "presentable" plus a smile goes a long way. If you have small fig tree to offer as trade, that would most likely get you "in like flint" with someone who is already proud of the fig tree they have in their yard.

I've approached a few people about their fig trees by just going up & knocking on the door. Most folks are very friendly once you tell them why you're at their door. I usually introduce myself first and then get right to the point by saying something like "I'm curious about your fig tree & just wanted to ask you about it". Most people are willing to share because they already know that fig trees this far north are something of an oddity to most people.

I only had an uncomfortable moment just one time when two ladies behind the door cautiously asked (while peeking through the small window in the door) "what do you want"? I just replied that I was into horticulture and plant propagation and was interested in the tree in their yard. After all, who else uses words like "horticulture" and "propagation" except for folks who are genuinely into those things :-) ? After that they opened the door and gladly talked to me about all the plants in their yard.

Maybe I inherited this quality from my mother but I have no problem approaching perfect strangers and striking up a conversation. I usually just find some common ground (like fig trees) to talk about and before ya know it whe're carrying on like we've known each other for years.

Don't know if these ramblings help or not but just my 2 cents............ ;) .  

Bill, nice addition.

Thank you sir.

I still have a couple of those new fig discovries I made locally, that I need to share with you all here. I've got plenty of pics & info on one in particular. Just need to get all my figs in a row before starting new thread on it.

When you are looking for fig trees do you notice something different about the tree before you ask? I do lawn care and come across fig trees all the time but have not really seen anything exiting most are not in fruit but the leaves look BT ish or like now are just sticks so I just asume they are nothing special. I have about 5 big limbs in the chipper pile now maybe I will root some or just go back when they are in fruit and see what they are.

I did eventually get cuttings from this tree. The owner brought the tree from Italy but didn't know the name. Below is a picture of the mother tree and then the leaves and fruit from the tree I grew. The owner does not protect the tree, and the year that I took the cuttings and the picture of the tree we had a low of 4F. If I had to guess, I would say it's Celeste, but I think it might be different. Very tasty. For now, I've been calling it Hardy Pittsburgh. Any thoughts on the variety?

 
 
 

 

Nice story and pics, Matt!  I like the way that tree is planted close to the brick wall (a nice heat sink), and in a sunny spot.  Does that placement also protect it from the wind?  (Can't see all around, just the one view).  I do have some thoughts about variety, but first a question:  Is that a picture of breba, or main crop?  Also, when the fig was still green, what color was the eye?  It looks a bit like English Brown Turkey breba (if it's a breba), but there are other possibilities too.  (And don't confuse English BT with other BT-named figs... English BT is a Mt. Etna type fig that grows all over southern Italy, even up on the mountain slopes... it's pretty cold hardy).  Could be others though.  What about the eye color on the immature fruit?

Mike   central NY state, zone 5a 

Thanks, Mike. The fruit is main crop. It's pretty small and can dry on the tree, which reminds me of celeste. So far, no brebas, but last year was just its second season. The tree is pretty well protected in that spot. You can see the shadows from a nearby evergreen hedge, too. Can't remember the eye color. The most consistent feature is the long, skinny neck. Skin color is red or brown.

I have gone fig hunting with success a few times last summer. Normally I knock on the door on a Saturday morning and introduce myself and say I'm a " fig collector" and then tell them they have " some very good looking figs trees" and then ask them "Could I take a few cuttings?" If they say yes I go back to my car and get my pruning shears and A BOTTLE of NICE WINE - usually a Spanish red wine. While I'm taking cuttings I ask the origin of the tree etc. I usually take 3 - 3 foot long pieces. So far I have been invited back to take more cuttings if I want by everyone.

Hi Matt,
That is not the same 'Hardy Pittsburgh' that Jon lists in his database is it?  If not, maybe give it a neighborhood name.
Nice find!

Thanks, Ed. It should be the same one that Jon has. I sent him some cuttings when I cut them from the mother tree.

Years ago I sold vaaccum cleaners door to door for a month and quickly developed very thick skin. It's pretty simple, gather up all your courage, get out of your car, knock on the door, introduce yourself & what you do. Most people are very happy to share. I really enjoy the stories that come with the figs, so for me an unknown without a story is not as good. I do not bring anything except a pair of pruners and a smile. People can see I'm not a whacko (I hope.)

Great work.  It may be a totally new variety.