Hi everyone.  Sorry I don't have a picture.

But here's the story: A friend asked if  I wanted to pick his figs, saying he had too many.  I have never had that problem (too many figs) so I was happy to help, make some fig jam, and share it with him.

He had two beautiful fig trees:

Tree #1) I'm almost certain is a Celeste, but the figs were exceptionally large and dark; a huge tree with a thick trunk and big enough to safely climb (and I'm 6 feet and 200 pounds; so that's a strong tree); the tree was a good 25 feet tall and loaded with ripe figs; figs were good but not great; but the virtue of this tree was the very abundant crop;

Tree #2) A much smaller tree (and easier to pick) with figs that matched the BT photos on the Figs4fun varieties section, but these were absolutely huge, the size of small to medium apples, and had an outstanding flavor; very sweet; good figgy flavor; good crunch from small seeds.

Our BT is pretty sad compared to this one, and I'm pretty sure it's a BT, I've just never seen one that big: 2.5 and up to 3.0 inches at the widest part on the largest figs.  And the taste was far superior to our BT.

When the weather cools, I'm digging up our BT and I have a start from his to replace it.

As I said, I'm pretty sure it's a BT (he said he bought it locally; but didn't know what it was; most sold locally are BT or Celeste), but if it is a BT (and probably is) the variation among BTs is astounding.

Best wishes to all.

John
North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

The Large figs in the Tree number one can't be Celeste.
Celeste makes small fruits under 25 grams.
California Brown Turkey makes main crop up to 100 grams but in your climate they can be much havyer than in California because they suck in water,from humid climate.
English Brown Turkey can have up to 80 grams second crop.
Brebas are huge up to 140 grames,on Both cultivars.

Thank you Herman.  I greatly appreciate your expertise.

My wife has an electronic camera, so she took pictures, but it's an older electronic camera and neither of us has a clue how to post here, a little embarrassing, but an honest answer.  I've just never been interested in technology, prefering simple things, reading, being out doors, etc., and not fighting with technology.  But I will see if I can get  someone to help with this.

But three quick points:

1) Fig #2 is a very good fig, well worth growing, and almost certainly a variety of BT as you say, but a very large strain, and maybe extra large in our climate.  And most important, quite tasty.

2) I will look further to see what Fig #1 might be.

3) Whatever fig #1 is, it did make outstanding fig jam.  I used your recipe Herman, and it was the best jam ever.  The very dark purple/black of these figs also gave the jam a beautiful color.

I greatly appreciate your help Herman.  I still don't know much, but I am learning.  Thank you my friend.

John

p.s.  I'm sure you are correct about the climate as a factor too Herman.

It's been an exceptionally long hot summer this year, even by North Georgia standards, so this may have enhanced the sugar content and taste of these BTs.

Our Chicago Hardys have been exceptional this year as well, seeming to really benefit from the extended hot summer, good size, very productive, and great taste, exceptionally sweet and figgy this year.

Our BT here on the homestead may just be a sad case, beyond hope even in a good year.

Fortunately, however, it looks like I have found a great replacement BT.

Thanks Herman, and best wishes to all.

John

John, the first tree is probably a Celeste.  Down South (I live in NC) Celeste can get 20 feet. My friend has one and like your friend's tree this one is 20 feet and all the figs ripen at the same time and are medium size with a redish yellow color.  the inside color is red and the fig taste very sweet.  Fig number 2 is probaly a BT.  Down South I haven't seen any larger than 20 feet like a celeste.  But if you pick the fruit when it starts to wrinkle, the flavor will leave you speachless! 

Hi Dennis.  We are in the same climate zone, and probably have very similar weather too.  We are in Northeast Georgia zone 7b.

Do you grow your figs in ground?

We grow them all in ground, even start our cuttings outside in ground, and although we get some freeze back, and sometimes all the way to the ground for the newer figs, they always bounce back it seems.

Do you have a variety that is doing especially well for you?  Most of our figs are still pretty new, from cuttings this Spring, but our established Marseilles and Hardy Chicago are doing great this year, very productive and outstanding flavor.

Hope you are having a great summer Dennis.

Best wishes.

John
North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b