Good day.

I am new to figs and looking to get started with my first cuttings. I, like so many folks have been reading this forum, researching fig types, looking at various websites, and just basically soaking up as much information as I can.

What I have to say that I find so very special about figs and fig tree collectors is their appreciation for the history around the fig. The stories of a childhood tree being re-discovered. The stories of cuttings traveling with families as they move homes or even countries. Taking the spirit of the tree with them, even bringing a cutting back from a deployment. Wow.

I'd love to buy some cuttings that carry that sort of provenance. I'd just like to start my future collection with a little history.

Thank you for reading and please shoot me an IM and I will reply quickly and I use PayPal as well.

Have a wonderful day.

A Romantic! I couldn't agree more; I was only recently driven to this whole fig tree "thing" (itch? obsession?) when I decided I wanted to make gifts to Syrian and Lebanese friends here whose close relations are either currently being pounded in Syria, or are graciously housing the poundees in Lebanon. The thought being about sympathy, connectedness, etc. My first thought was to give a real Lebanese Cedar, but I thought that might be impractical for the Sonoran Desert (I am in Phoenix). Figs do have that whole familial charm and historicity and notion of place

Todd, Welcome!  I jumped into this not long ago trying to find anything and everything I could get my hands on cuttings wise.  I still get what I can but the ones I keep will be the ones that truly have a background or story so I completely understand where you are coming from on this and wish you the best of luck with it.  Paradisio seems to have a decent story that comes along with it.

Thank you to everyone so far. I guess I am a bit of a romantic and appreciate the fact that a lot of these fig cuttings are essentially a living chain letter from their original location and heritage. Michael Pollan in his video, The Botany of Desire talks about how plants use us for their bidding to grow well beyond they're cultural range. Figs are right in that mix.

So far I have tracked down or had help finding the following. A great way to start a collection in my humble opinion:

Brooklyn White from Bass
Unknown Teramo from BigBadBill
Dominick's Fig from coop951, cuttings offered by rcantor

I wonder how long it takes to take the romance out and start looking for the ones that really grow well in one's location that ripens early enough and with good taste. Try what grows well in your area by checking with locals.
I know it does not take long in areas with short  relatively cool summers like in our area.

OttawanZ5, I'm sure at some point things will adjust in that direction as my knowledge base increases. I may not add that many to my yard as I also work with heirloom apples and they take up space as well. We'll see how things go. :)

OttawanZ5 I think you are actually missing the point he is trying to make.  Its not the variety he is after its the location of the tree or the story behind the tree.  For example it could be a celeste, a brown turkey, or a completely unknown variety that just happened to be growing on a historical battle field in his area, it could be that unknown fig tree BrooklynMatty had cuttings of that was a 40 year old tree and survived Sandy.  It could very well be the varieties that grow the very best in his area BUT the tree has to have some sort of story or significance behind it.  I completely get what he is saying because im at that point too.  Im still new but I have almost 175 cuttings, maybe 25 varieties and the 2 that mean the most 2 me are unknowns and its purely because of the history and the story those 2 trees have.  

Todd where are you located?

Louneo, you nailed it. I view plants a little differently than some and I genuinely believe there is something bigger going on within the world of plants. I will save that conversation for another time though. I just want to make sure my collection is off properly. There is so much history wrapped up into figs it isn't even funny.

BTW I live in Washington state.

Hi Todd we have a lot of heirloom Figs here in the South Cajun land Dating back hundreds Of years .I have a friend down the street that back in the day her Grand pa pa was known as the Johnny apple seed of figs. Here would make small trees from cuttings and plants them around Church Point, Sunset Opelousas areas here in LA , She can remember eating figs on hot summer days and went with him on jobs he was a handy man Mr. fix it. And he would plant the little fig trees at no cost to people in these areas. We went fig hunting for trees in those areas and stop by the old Farm that she grew up on, and did managed to take cuttings off the trees from the Farm. We also found a huge fig tree That a nice Old Lady in her 80's remember her Grand Pa Pa very well and had Planted trees in that area where she grew up and allowed us to take cuttings. I have ate a lot and I mean a lot of figs and this fig melts in your mouth and you cannot stop eating it we both almost got sick it was so sweet and juicy . I name this fig Hwy 4849 that is the corner the house sits on. Her Grand Pa pa fig will carry his name I am having her write his story for this fig. WE were only able to get a few of these to root because they were green and it was super hot when we did this So we are going back to take cuttings.So if you want send me you address and when we get them I will send you some. Last but not least I have her friend that wants me to go and take cuttings from his family heirloom tree that has been in his family for many generations and the last tree on the old farm it the only one left the hurricanes took out all that were down here and I told her I would help. Lots of History here I found this one that day we went to her Pa Pa farm it is a green honey Fig   

Wow, that sounds fantastic. What a great story and a great name for a fig! That's exactly the stuff I would like to have. That tree has probably made countless people smile. I will shoot you an IM.

Thank you so very much, Pukzpukz and have an absolutely awesome day today.

I think this might be the kind of story and associated fig you might be interested in.The fig is called Bi39.
Cuttings may be available

http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-home/14862-ok-here-it-is-papa-tree-story-history-and-roots-please-enjoy

If you look at Bass's website (trees of joy) there is a tree called Matta that a man wanted Bass to save for future generations. Tough to find, but looks delicious and beautiful.

I of course want trees with wonderful tasting fruit that are productive, but I too feel it is imperative that we preserve as many varieties for future generations as possible. It is a crime that junk food is cheaper and more readily available to our children in this country. Any efforts made by individuals to successfully grow figs (or any kind of fruit/veggie for that matter) and use it to benefit their local communities is frankly amazing in my book. I have nothing but gratitude and respect for people involved in saving cultivars and spreading a love for them with their family, friends and neighbors.

On F4F I have seen no shortage of people being generous not only with cuttings, but their time and knowledge. Sharing a few cuttings feels like a small gesture, but collectively who knows how many trees we are saving? Sorry for the long rant! If I end up having any spare trees with a story later this spring, I'll PM you!

Another tree that fits the description is NYC Fig's grandfather tree, Danny has that in NY but its probably too young for cuttings.

I just signed up for this site at the request of an individual who suggested it to me when I bought a couple cuttings from them off Ebay. The fig you described sounds very interesting and if possible, I would love obtaining two or three cuttings from it. I live about 35 miles out of San Antonio in a small town named Bandera and the weather here permits just about any fig to do great, I currently have Alma, Blue Giant, Black Mission, Celeste, Brown Turkey, long neck yellow and one I don't know yet for sure the variety. It's about 2-2.5 inches across and is purple in color with amber meat, I found the tree and picked enough to make a pint of preserves out of and it turned out great. I currently have several small trees started from it.  I am always looking for different varieties, just recently picked up two of the Texas Blue Giant as they were developed right here in San Antonio by Fanicks nursery. There are plenty of the celeste, brown turkey, Alma and Texas Everbearing varieties around here where I can get plenty of figs from so I am not trying to get any of those varieties at present, mainly the exotic and unusual varieties. Just ordered a Desert King and Chicago off Ebay so looking forward to seeing how they do. Just about every fig variety seems to do great here in this area as we very seldom ever get temperatures under around 20 to 25 degrees.
  Thanks for your little story about Hwy4849 and if you still have access to any cuttings, would be real interested in acquiring a few, will trade for anything I have access to also.  Thanks again and have a happy Texas holiday season. Today is Christmas so Happy Texas Christmas to all.  Sincerely Newk  (Don Newkirk)