Hi gang, I live in Northern California, and over the past few years I've seen a number of figs growing "wild" I.e. Out in the middle of empty fields, public spaces, etc. my question is, is it worth taking cuttings of these trees? Do all fig trees produce figs, or are there male and female trees? Are these trees likely spread by birds, or would that be impossible without the fig wasp (not sure if it's in the area)?

Thanks!

I have a lot of projects going, so If I saw these, I would just jot down the area, and keep an eye out next summer and see if were bothering with.....but if I was traveling, out of my area and saw a tree, I would take some cuttings, if they produce good fruit Great, if not I may do some grafting a good variety onto this.

If i was in area i would wait and see if any figs ripen when proper season then taste and see if they were worth propagating.

aaahhh great minds think alike..... me and Martin....LOL

Thanks guys. Do you guys keep an eye out for lone fig trees when out traveling? I'm trying to figure out if my addiction is progressing normally.

Welcome to the forum!  I used to when I lived in an area where figs grow wild.  Some parts of N CA have the fig wasp.  Where are you located?

I'm in Chico, about 90 miles north of Sacramento.

I would say the fig tree was planted as they only grow from cutting unless caprified. If it was me I would take cuttings and give it a shot. Many members on here have found hidden or forgotten treasures that way. I don't know of anybody In my area that grows figs but I am changing all that. I still keep an eye out though just in case I see a tree and my clippers in the back pocket. Good luck and please keep us posted.

I keep Clippers in my car, just in case I see something.......My fig addiction is starting to take over...LOL

Hi I'm Gloria and I'm a fig addict, it's been 10 hours since I got my last cuttings...I stalk fig trees everywhere I go. Welcome to the forum!!

My wife is still threatening to send me to rehab! I wish she could just give into the peer pressure, lol. And welcome also!

Thanks for the warm welcome!  So, on the way to work today, I counted at least a dozen (probably more) trees growing "wild".  I have a 50+ mile commute, and drive by pastures and forested areas and run down commercial areas. 

My big question is, would anyone out there who is more experienced with figs, be interested in trying out some of the trees?  I'm thinking I could get a few extra cuttings per tree and mail them to you (on my dime), and you could grow them and see how they do in your climate, and also how they taste?  Being new to figs, unless something is extremely bad or extremely good, my palate isn't trained enough yet.  Let me know if anyone would be interested in a venture such as this?

Id give it a shot. I just love figs and rooting them is the next best thing when you can't eat them.

Wonderful offer.

OK, sounds like fun.  If anyone else is interested, let me know.  Maybe we can all try our hand at rooting some of these "unknowns" and seeing how they taste.  I'll get contact info when I have firm plans to get cuttings; probably during Thanksgiving week.

Love rooting Figs!! I'll give it a try!  Very nice offer...I too, want to pay your shipping with  Paypal!!

I would love to try them out. I'd feel bad if you paid postage though. Could I send you PayPal?

Also, I'm not a very experienced grower yet. I've raised 9 trees from cuttings I started beginning of this year. They are healthy and thriving, so I'm confident I can take good care of them, but by no means am I an expert. I grew up eating fresh figs from my back yard, but most of my fresh fig experience is from that one tree. So, if you're looking to send these to a well seasoned a-fig-cianado, I might not be the right party.

I'd like to suggest that when you send out the cuttings, you give each tree a name, a number, GPS coordinate, name of street it came from or anything that could uniquely identify the variety. That way, if we discover that one of them is fantastic, and others want cuttings, any of us who are growing trees from those same cuttings will know which are which so that we can share alike. If any turn out to be worthwhile, you can give them more appropriate names after we've tried the figs.

I will make sure to document them as thoroughly as possible.  Some of them are in the area of my work, which is at a 98% poverty rate with multiple homicides per year, so if others want cuttings, I'd be happy to collect them but would not be comfortable sending people not familiar with the area out and about to do so.

If any of them still have leaves, I'll make sure that I snap a picture.

Glad to know people are interested in this!

How many cuttings from each tree for each person?  Two?

I would say three per count on one not rooting so it gives one more to fall back on.