I recently transplanted a potted fig tree to my landscaping in full sun.  After a few weeks, the leaves had what looked like back spots on them, turned yellow, curled up and fell off one by one.  I have some leave left on the tree - mostly yellow.  However, there looks like new growth is budding and the tree seems to be producing fruit...nothing has really ripened yet, but new fruit is growing.

Attached is a picture of leaves I took off the ground.  Any advice is welcomed.

Looks like dormancy to me

Thanks Jennifer!

I'm in Zone 7...Northeast NJ.  It's getting colder but no frost.  Is it time to wrap the tree for winter?  I was convinced it was rust or a fungus.

It's fall (autumn).  Don't have to wrap the tree yet.  Do it before a prolonged hard freeze though.

Mike   central NY state, zone 5a

There's no way for the fruit to ripen so break it off and let the plant store up energy for Spring.

Thank you all for your help.  

So, I shouldn't be worried that the leaves have been falling off for a month now...it's not anything besides the seasons changing?  I guess I sound inexperienced...but that is because I am.  No other trees on my property are changing yet.  I was worried it was in shock from transplanting or had a fungus.  I'll post more pictures today.  

Thank you again!

At the most it has a little late season fig rust, gather up and  throw the dead leaves out, do not let them stay on the ground. Its not an issue typical start of  fall dormancy.

My fig is always the first to lose it's leaves, and looks wonderful spooky for Halloween. It does look horrible as it looses those leaves.. since you just put it in the ground it also wants to make roots so sends it's energy in that direction.

Newfigtreeowner,
Welcome to the Forum Community.

There probably is nothing wrong with your tree other than a little stress.
What size container was the tree planted in? Did you score or loosen the root ball?
The only fig trees in my yard that started to lose leaves early were ones (three total) that were stressed from being root bound.
Good Luck.

     


The tree was in a 7 gallon pot.  And we loosened the roots.

If you think this is just because it's fall...I'm very relieved.  I didn't want to loose my tree!!

Thank you!!

Looks like Fall to me.......the nights get cold and they know to start losing their leaves....

I had the same thing happen and it was fig rust. Pick up all the leave s that fall and throw them out . I had new buds coming on trees and they are perfect . Another thing I do when I water I only do the roots I do not spray the leave I found out that helped . I live on Long Island . NY and they look great . The only tree not affected was Sal Corleone . Don't worry it will be ok .

Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam

Newfigtreeowner,
Figs like to grow in soil with an almost neutral pH. You may need to check the pH of the soil, if too acidic you could add Dolemite Limestone. Gypsum can be added for Calcium if your pH is high. My comment about pH is based on the plants growing near the fig tree in the pictures. Please note this earlier topic about yellowing leaves. and another topic on nutrient deficiency. My comment is also based on my observation that no in ground fig trees in the New York City (Zone 7) area have yet started shedding their leaves.
Good Luck.

New here you go - fig plants showing effects of fall.
Click to enlarge.