I work in a fairly unique property.  They have about 100 acres total, and would like to plant some fruit trees.  When I suggested figs, it got shot down because TX isn't "known" for its figs - my boss was thinking peaches!!  Really?  Texas peaches??

Anyway, he has come around and has mentioned figs for the fruit orchard (yeah!!!),  and I would like to be part of this by making some suggestions for cultivars and where we could purchase good quality trees.  I am thinking they would like them to be several years old so there would be some "instant gratification" so they see the fruits of their money quickly.  How much would trees of this age cost?  Yes I know there is a difference between a BT and just about anything else lol.

The property is in the DFW area of Texas, I don't have a time line for this project, I am doing some preliminary research for it.

I know there are some big growers out there, just don't know how big and what they actually grow.  All suggestions welcome.

i paid over a hundred bucks for a 6 foot brown turket from willace orchard. they have that thred about what figs grow in your location. thats where i got ideals for my wish list. i am still finding figs i never knew exsited because of that thred. other than that you can get kinds that grow very quickly like desert king. i rooted cutting about april this year and planted in ground in july the three i planted are now woody and 3 foot tall from six inch cuttings. and also look at ebay for med sized trees at desent prices. i got a blue celest almost 4 foot for 30 bucks last year.

hope this helps

Texas at one time had one of the largest canning plants for figs and supporting orchards!  The Gulf region was the area. Commercial agriculture books written in the late 1800s and early 1900s all talk about the fig farms and canning operations

Wow!!  Canned figs from Texas!!!  And I thought cotton was the thing here! And my boss thought peaches!  lol  Times, taste, and needs change.  I like the idea of figs since it seems they seem to require less maintenance then other fruit trees.

I am reading of the many things figs  can do: beer, wine, liquor, candy, candles, ( remove warts)...  think a gift shop, fig festival, music

Since you want larger trees, shipping will be prohibitive. So, I would suggest that you scout out nurseries in your area (say 50 mile radius, or as far as you a willing to drive) and see what they have to offer. I would definitely put in Celeste and Excel. Some of our TX people will hopefully have some ideas on varieties and nurseries. I will have Dave Wilson trees in late February, which are about 3' tall, and still shippable, if you are interested. Varieties: Celestial
Conadria, Excel, Flanders, Janice, King, Panache, Texas Blue Giant, White Genoa

Joann,

Since you mentioned it:)  100's of acres of Citrus is being plowed under here in Florida to make room for peaches.  Peaches are quite a valuable crop and the University of Florida has made great strides in developing low chill awesome tasting peaches.   I have 8 peach trees myself.  Figs are great also, tell your boss to do both.  

Jon, is the shipping prohibitive due to cost or other factors?  If it is cost, there may be some way to work that out.  The property I am employed at is quite unique and some costs are not an issue. 

JoAnn
The majority of the commercial fig production in Texas was based on the Magnolia fig.  The efforts of Dr O' Rouke in Louisiana were directed to improving the figs for not only back yard but also the commercial market.  He thought the Improved Celeste was the best all around fig for both.  Depending on initial harvest reqmts, almost any Celeste or Brown Turkey will produce in 3-4 years, with the LSU Gold being in the same range.  All three are hardy and fairly disease resistant.  There are Peach cultivars that will thrive in Texas but initial harvest would be in 5-6 years minimum, with larger trees reducing that time frame.  Plums and Apricots are also candidates as well.

All said, this is a good discussion with the local County Extension Agent.

Every street in Atlanta is called peachtree something!  Atlanta does peaches.  You heard of that Geahhhja Peach, right?  This brings us to your orchard!  You can get some fairly nice sized fig trees from the big box stores, and maybe a discount if you are a big buyer.  I'd try to find out the distributors, and go to them straight up!!  Sneak a look at the tags!  Who sells to Lowes or Home Depot?  Someone does!  Our HD has 5' tall Black Mission figs for $25.00. 

I also think your boss should turn some of that acreage into a good ole Texas vineyard!  Oh my!!

Suzi

If i want figs in my neck of the woods i have to order/trade cuttings or find somthing on the net. alot of peeps up here dont even know what a fig is. you ask if they like em and they all say the same thing, "i like fig newtons" box stores and lows and HD never have had figs around here. <++++++ SAD FACE

He was thinking peaches, apples (?? that's crazy talk if you ask me!!), cherries (more crazy talk!!), apricots. 

I have been to orchards in NY years ago but have no idea how big they were and the spacing of the trees.  I don't know how much of the property is to be dedicated for this.  I don't know where on the property it will be located (I hope close to the main building to we can pick and serve! 

Suzi - great idea with the grapes!!  i can't believe I didn't think of it!  I love grapes also!

WillsC - how sad to have all that plowed down! 

My boss also wanted to have honey bees, but the powers at be put the ka-bosh on it for liability concerns.

Jo-Ann,

Rows of figs would be amazing, and you can keep them pruned short and productive.  Grasa put out information on that last week.  BUT, you fun loving girl, talk him into a vineyard!  Syrah, Cab, Zin, Tempranillo.. They love the heat and wow!  Every vineyard needs a tasting room with gift items for the drunk tasters to purchase!  He can hire a wine maker, buy the oak barrels, and woo hoo!  You are in business!  You can sell plates of figs and cheese to go with the wine, and dried figs from the orchard in nice plastic bags.  Wish I was you!  I'd be all over that dude!!... well, sorta..... ;-))

Suzi

Suzi - I like the way you think!!  Unfortunately, the company I work for is a management company.  The owners of the property have the final say, so a gift shop isn't where the focus of anything there is.  It is a private property for the associate/guests of the owner.  The general public is not permitted on the grounds, or to use the facility in any way shape or form.

So the figs will be mine!  I will share them with others if they show the respect the fig must have!  When I made fresh fig tarts back in Aug, the guests loved them and most of them never had a fresh fig and didn't even know what one was!

I really hope the owners come through with this plan - it will be awesome!

I found an artical awhile back that said one acre could acomidat 300 fig trees on average i guess it would depend on the kind as well. spaceing about 10-15 foot i think. let me look and see if i can find that artical real quick.

dave

so sorry i was close 13 foot spacing and 260 per acre here is the link hope it helps.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html

Dave - you are awesome!

thank you i do what i can. i have researched many things and retain alot of usless info, like it takes 3000 cows a year to supply enough leather for footballs for the nfl for one year. ;)

Here is an excellent thread by a fellow grower in FL. Well worth the time to read it, especially post #6 by JD.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Fig-Orchard-Updated-5419101?trail=50


Navid.

very nice info there and great pics