Aloha, fig community!  A couple of months ago, I wouldn't have recognized a fig tree if it were planted in my own yard, let alone know what a fig fruit looked like.  But as I was returning from an appointment today, I happened to look out of my car and noticed this tree.  There were actually 2 trees, however the other tree was buried in heavy overgrowth and was in a part of the yard that I couldn't get a good view.  The trees were in a real old part of Pearl Harbor, if I remember it was officer's housing.  It was condemned way back in the late 80's, I believe, and has since been cordoned off waiting to be demolished.  This tree was about 12 feet high and, from what I could see, the base was a good 8-10 inches in diameter.  Unfortunately, there were no fruits that I could see. Maybe the birds, rats, or mongoose got to them.  I plan on paying a visit to the Provost Marshall on base to see if I can gain access to the yard (maybe get some cuttings, while I'm at it).  I have no clue as to what variety this fig is, and would welcome any insight.  Mahalo, everyone. 

Nate
 
 
 
 
 

Congratulation, Nate! A nice find.
It grows very close to the fence, this makes me think that the tree was not planted and probably was propagated by a bird or an animal, i.e. it may be a seedling. 

Mahalo, Greenfig. Any idea as to what type fig it may be?  I know a pic of a fruit may be helpful, but no luck.  This part of Pearl Harbor is really old.  That housing was built around the 1960s.  By the look of what's left of the yard, it seems to have been intentionally planted there.

Nate

Congrats on the find, Nate, and good look gaining access.

But would you knock off the talk about something from the 1960s being "really old"???!!! ;)

Common, Harvey, the people from 1950s can be considered as prehistoric (uh-oh :) but you are still young!! 

Hope there's enough of you youngsters working to keep social security solvent! :)

Great find. I was under the impression that ficus carica was semitropical and would not thrive without a resting season.

When asking permission I would make sure to mention that it is accessible from outside the fence. Cool find.

Yeah, I agree with Aaron.  At a bare minimum you can just get permission to pull a few branches through the fence and get some cuttings before the tree is demolished.
Jim

Hi FiggieFive_0,
If you've got space, give it a try .
If not ... The choice is yours - but I wouldn't .

Aloha, all around.  Here's my line of thought... Military folks are constantly deployed or on a mission somewhere.  One of the areas of deployment is the Mediterranean region (Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, etc).  On that premise (hopeful thinking, more like it),  I'm suspecting that one of the sailors brought back a cutting and planted there in the yard.  Maybe, he or she brought back many cuttings and shared them throughout the neighborhood.  I'm planning on going back this weekend, and I'm definitely taking some cuttings this time!  Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Nate

I dunno Nate, if it was intentionally planted that would make it at least 25 years old now. And with year round growing I think a 25 year old tree would probably be bigger. 

While temperatures are nice year-round, I thought I noticed rust on some leaves so it might not be "paradise" for fast fig growth.

If you're ambitious, get as many large branches 2 yrs old as you can fit and distribute the cuttings.  :)

I saw many figs in Turrialba, Costa Rica this January. The local guide told us it was an important source of food for the birds (he was avid birder) but they weren't of good enough quality for humans to eat.

Historically, Hawaii did not have a great diversity of fig varieties.  There wasn't the sort of immigration pattern that supported that.

One should talk to the ag dept at UH, and see if *they* might have a test plots with trees you can get cuttings from...

A good fig is worth jumping over a fence from time to time :)

Hey, at least the haoles brought something good to Hawaii :)

I see a couple of nice cuttings sticking through that fence.

Aloha, everyone!  Thanks to Bob C., Eli, and Calvin...it almost sounded like a dare, so... 

I couldn't stand it anymore.  Just wondering what kind of fig it was and the kind of fruit it might have drove me to the point where I just had to go back and "acquire" some cuttings.  Also, trying to save this unknown variety (posterity purposes) for future propagation made it well worth it.  I mean, what's the worst thing that could've happened to me? Put me in jail for trespassing on government property?  Okay, as I don't condone breaking the law, I figure me and the NSA are now even.  

Nate
 

 

Nice work....

Good job.

Hopefully you don't get a knock on the door after the Feds get a report from the drone that was flying overhead.  :)

 Now thats a fig with a story (Mystery). Enjoy your find!
 
 Richard
 Zone 6b MA.

If the tree were started from a seedling, it could potentially be male, not fruiting... right?

I hope you don't waste a lot of effort to find out it will never produce fruit!