I've just browsed through about a dozen pages on this forum looking for sizes of fruits.  I've seen some pictures of figs on this forum that are gigantic!  What are the different specifications for small, medium and large fruits?

Since I will be planting my first fig tree this year, there are traits about the tree and fruit I need to consider. 

I am about 20 miles north of Dallas TX.  The house faces due south and has a rear entry garage with an alley in the back (for those of you not familiar with this type of residential development, there are small streets behind the homes where the garage is so you don't see the garage from the front of the home). The house is 1 floor. 

I am planting the tree in the backyard about 20ft from the house - due north and even with the garage door but 15 ft west of it.  The tree will be almost in the middle of the yard.  The house is on a slight incline and this spot of the yard is where it starts to slope away from the house

I want fruit this year!!  I want a tree that will not be more than 20ft high, prefer 10-15ft.  A nice sweet variety with good fig flavor - not just a sugary taste with little flavor I have read about. 

About the size of the fruit, the size of fruit on my parents tree is about 1-1 1/2 in in diameter of smaller and about an inch long (it's been a long time since I've had them)  If there is a variety with a larger fruit that would be a bonus, of course taste comes before size.

Any varieties fit the bill I can find locally?  I look forward to the suggestions.

Thanks!!

Jo-Ann

Do your parents live in your same general area? If so, and if you like the fruit from their fig tree, you might want to air layer a good-sized branch from theirs and plant it in your yard.

No she does't.  I live in Tx and she lives in NY.  I haven't seen the tree in 10 years.

So much for that idea, then. Hopefully a few fig growers from your area will chime in with suggestions about the best local varieties.

Visit some nurseries in your area and speak with them about the fig varieties they grow and sell. Gives extra credence to the nurseries that produce their own stock, meaning they have mature trees and propagate their own cuttings.  Usually this translates into more reliable information about varieties and whether those varieties do well in that area. They may also have a larger size tree. Cuttings galore right now on ebay from good sellers (members of this forum). but getting a large tree may be a challenge.

Jo Ann welcome to the forum. No matter what tree you buy, so long as it's not a turkey, I would ask for cuttings from the tree in NY. There such pride in keeping a family favorite going and passing it around to friends. Get a bunch of cuttings and plant them. Since they are fairly easy to root you should get one or two to root. Once rooted I'd plant it about 5 foot from the tree you purchase then when they bear fruit decide which one is best and cut the other. If you like both let them merge together and you'll have both.
"gene"

Hi JoAnn!

Hi Joann, I live in Weatherford and have had incredible luck with a variety that forum members have id'd as Italian honey. It produces 3 crops for me here and is extremely hardy. Good flavor and HUGE fruits. If you can't find a tree, let me know and I will air layer a larger one for you this spring. Beverly Thomas http://www.coldspringsfarmcsa.com

Have someone you know (your parents if they're still there) get lots of cuttings.  You root some (see new bag method thread) and send some to others here to preserve and make available the line.  You know you'll want more varieties over time so plan for that now.  :)  I'd be happy to trade cuttings  :)

Thanks for the suggestions!

Ben - Great idea, I do have some time to scout around

Gene - Why not a Turkey?  I'm going to call Mom today and get some info on her tree and ask about cuttings or suckers with roots.  2 trees does sound pretty good!

Ken and rcantor - Spoke with Mom today.  Pretty sure I was wrong about the tree being fro Italy.  Grandpa first went to PA when he came over, the went to MA, then settled in NY.  But the tree is very old - maybe 80.  Mom said it was big when she met them back in the 50's.

When would be a good time to get a sucker or cuttings from NY?  I think I will get that and also one here.  The Italian Honey sounds good, and I will look int others also.

Jo-Ann

Figluvah - How do I check for RKN.  I checked around on this sight and didn't see a way I could tell easily.

Beverly - Thank you !!!!  I also went to your website and the figs look delicious!!

JoAnn,

Figluvuh,

Thank you, I definitely don't want any of those dirty SOB's in my figs!