I found these two large fig trees growing in Paris, Tennessee last winter.

Very large bush like habit. Seem to be very cold hardy. Not growing up next to any structure. Very exposed to the elements. Paris TN had a low last year of +1F. This tree seemed to have very little cold related damage - just a few branch tips.

The owner said she got them about ten years ago from an estate sale. The couple who sold the trees to her where "moving back to the country they came from". She didn't know what country that was.

She also added that the couple didn't want to sell the trees at first but finally gave in to her sincere interest in the trees. The couple also told her that they wouldn't survive the winters here. At that she kept the trees in pots indoors for about five years until they got too large to handle in the house. So she planted them in her yard where they have survived every winter since.

Here are a few pics of those trees and the fruit:

Well those pics were more trees than fruit. So how about these:

Bill,

I won't say for sure but the Celeste I have is very similar to this one pictured.

Seems to produce much heavier and not drop the fruit as did with my previous Celestes.

Mine is labeled "Higo Celeste".

I purchased it from Lowes near Brownsville, Tx. a about three years ago.

Maybe we can compare pics in the Summer.

Here are some pics from last season,

I was going to say it looks kinda like a celeste.

Celeste

Celeste

Hi Rafed
"Higo" means fig.


little to no damage while unprotected at +1 F or -17C seems to be good cold tolerance.
what is its flavour?

grant
z5b

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Looks like we have a few votes for celeste so far. That one had crossed my mind but my experience is still pretty limited so just not able to make a solid conclusion on my own yet.

Seems like some celeste variations are more cold hardy than others so, could be one of those.

Grant,
The flavor didn't strike me as being real memorable. But I didn't write anything down and I should have. In fact, I had told myself I was going to take my time to think about the flavor and write down what I thought. That didn't happen though. Guess I was focusing on the pics over the flavor. Hopefully I'll get a better handle on the taste this season.

That fruit looks very small to be Celeste, IMO, unless you have a huge hand and small quarter, that is.  :)  The skin looks thicker and more redish brown.  The flesh looks red, as well and my Celestes don't look like that inside.  Your figs do, however look tasty.  If they are Celestes, they are quite different in looks from ours, down here that I've got and have seen.

Did you get cuttings?  Maybe they're those Mountain figs, which are Celestes, from what I've read.

noss

Hi Grant,

Thanks for confirming the names "Higo to Fig".

Looks like Bill and I have a cold hardy Celeste. Mine does well here in Michigan.

Looks too small for celeste, but very damned similar.  this is coming from a guy surrounded by celeste.

also the center is very dark red for celeste in my area, at least.

can you describe the taste?

Actually, the freaking half dollar threw me off.

This could very well be Celeste.  the main crop vs. breba crop has a different neck here in Atlanta.

But it's still way deeper red and more saturated that Celeste here.

I have some pics of Celeste figs in GA around here somewhere ....

Yes, I forgot to clarify that point Jason. That is a Kennedy half dollar in those pics and NOT a quarter!

Sorry about that folks. I better use a more common coin denomination next time for size comparison. Guess that's what happens when let my hobbies overlap with each other.

As for the taste Jason. It wasn't very memorable but I didn't make real special note of it either. I'll have to get a better sample of them next time and pay closer atention to the flavor.

I did get cuttings from it but I messed around and lost all I had started. Fortunately I gave some cuttings to a friend of mine who still had a few alive at seasons end last year. I also have an invitation to come back for a small division of the tree. I will take the owner up on that invite along about March.

I'll also try to get better pics of the fruit next time.

Awww--I didn't even notice that was a kennedy half-dollar!  You DO have a big hand!  The figs still look small, though and the color of the pulp is too red and the flesh has the wrong color to it and the outside is still too brown and the skin still looks too thick to be a Celeste.....

What is that tree that has tiny figs on it?  I don't know what color the figs are, though, but it's a tree that is like a wild tree, or something.  Don't listen to me--I don't know what I'm talking about...

noss

noss

My opinion is Celeste, looks like very very similar to my Louisiana heirloom Celeste, Celeste figs fruits to me is very small, exact color, leaf shape very much so Celeste.

It will be just fine with me if it is a Celeste.

It's very cold hardy and it will represent the first confirmed Celeste type I've found in my neck of the woods.

Anyone else know of a Celeste type (besides Blue Celeste - reportedly) that survives zone 6 winter temps (i.e. near 0F on occaision)?