I know what you're thinking, but...........

I've started a new exercise routine this week. I get up early and at the crack of dawn and jump on my bike and ride the neighborhood. I've found many trees that I never new existed. I spotted one tree earlier in the week with some large dark figs that didn't seem to have been bothered by all the recent rains we've had. It's a small bush type tree that has been neglected in the front yard of what seems to be an abandoned rent house. 

This morning the neighborhood was quiet being it's Sunday morning and threatening to rain. So I took liberty to examine it more closely. I noticed that none has split or soured. There were a few bird eaten figs but the rest looked fine. I just couldn't help my self, I grabbed a ripe one and put it in my shirt pocket and hoped for the best. I also broke a small tip branch that was showing a couple of new small leaves.   The rest of the tree seems ready to drop all it's leaves and go dormant. The branch I took also had a fig that was 90 percent ripe. I gave it a quick taste as I left the scene.

I passed by my house and dropped off the fig and the branch and continued on my ride. When I returned I took a few pictures and tasted the fig. It is a large fig, the knife in the pictures is 4 inches long. It was surprisingly good even with all the rain we've had. It was sweet and had a good fig flavor which I imagine will be much better in better weather conditions.  I hope my cutting grows as this fig has promise. It's name will be "Ellender BT" from it's location.

"gene"

Definitely a BT.  Looks nice, though.  Good find!

Ooooh!  I love finding treasures!  Good job!  Fingers crossed that you can root it, and maybe go back and get some dormant cuttings too! 

Good luck!
Suzi

Gene,

If the house is abandoned bring a shovel and save that tree!

Yes hopefully the cutting takes. If not I will definitely try to get some dormant cuttings this winter. The house isn't abandon to the point of being of no use, I think maybe it is between tenants. 
"gene"

It is amazing how much you will learn about your neighborhood by riding your bicycle.

Danny K
Marshall Tx

Gene,

     A lot of local governments are now on line. Maybe you can go to your parish property site, search the address and come up with the name and address of the owner, then introduce yourself. Or  maybe just a note on the door . . . .

What an amazing coincidence...I found a large, overgrown, and neglected, fig tree growing behind a small Chapel, on the grounds of my dad's nursing home.  I took a look at the tree, up close, and it's probably a "Brown Turkey" variant.  Most of the figs were growing too high up for picking, but I did manage to find two that were edible, but nowhere near their prime.  One...cucumbers...the other had some sugary promise, and I'm sure when properly grown and ripened, the figs would be quite a nice little treat.  I see no splitting, even though it had poured recently.  Tree was growing unprotected.  I will return to this tree, and see how the figs taste when hit by some sunny, dry, weather. 

I also found/noticed another fig tree growing in a neighbors side yard.  This tree makes a fig the size and shape of a brass doorknob!  The figs look just like the above photos...greenish fig, with a win-red streaks on the skin.  I spoke to the neighbor, but no figs were yet ripe enough to eat, but I shall return.  I want to  do a taste-test, and take a good look at the eyes.

I see some air-layering projects in my future....maybe.

Frank

Danny, you're so right. I've found things I never new existed and I've met some neighbors. I've learned that when I pass a certain section on a block I will smell weed being smoked. I also found out who was bar-b-queing yesterday because the smell was still in the air. Good luck in your hunting for figs.

Dale, I passed by in my auto and saw the door was open, but it was raining so I didn't stop. Maybe it just looks unoccupied. I noticed that the grass was also cut. I'll have to watch for an opportunity.

Good for you Frank. You just never know what you'll find. Just keep a sharp eye out.

Tomorrow I plan to enlarge my ride area into a new area. No telling what I'll find.

"gene"