Attached pictures are of an unknown Italian fig. It has a mild fig taste and is rich and very sweet. The eye is small but open when ripe. The fig is very large, the cut fig pictured is not ripe and is half the normal size. The cut fig (picture #1) and #2 thru #5 were taken 10/25/12. The tree is already starting to drop its leaves. Pictures #6 and #7 was taken August 21, 2012 and picture #8 was taken August 25, 2012.

  
I will be calling this fig "AlexLight" for easier referencing.

Note: The fig enlarges, turns yellow and then blushes a deep purple. The eye is a bright pink from the early green stage (see pic #3).

Thanks.

Attached pictures are of an unknown Dark Italian fig. The tree has been growing at this location for 20 years. It has not been winterized for the past 10 years, other than mulching. It has a mild fig taste is sweet with a complex taste and a nice finish (after taste). The eye is small and fairly tight. I was not able to get pictures of the cut figs, they were eaten by birds and the owners. The tree ripened figs early August through mid September. I volunteered to dig out this tree to increase the vegetable garden, so I will have cutting available (Send me a PM). The tree is 10 to 12 feet round. In my opinion the figs taste better than Hardy Chicago (which is my current reference).

 
I will be calling this fig "KrmkDark" for easier referencing.

Note: The last two pictures (pic #5 and #6) were taken 10/24/12. The Light figs at the bottom of picture #1 are shown in the linked post below. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Unknown-Fig-ID-1_Bronx-NY-6028881

beauties!  amazing trees.

Pete, put my name on the list... would love  a cutting of these beauties ! perhaps we can trade or I help pay for costs or you name it. 

Pete....

You are becoming quite a good fig detective, and together with Stefano - another fig detective covering Brooklyn - we on this forum are becoming aware of all the local NYC treasures growing in backyards.  It's nice that you share your latest "finds" with us.  Even better, that you can distribute cuttings when available.  No question... these trees are NYC hardy, and clean.

I love a good mystery, and half my heart hopes that these trees remain unidentified.  It's always more interesting to speculate.

Good growing and happy hunting.

Frank

Frank,

Thanks. I am actually noticing more fig trees almost every day. I have found four (4) very large trees that I have seen for years but had not realized that they were figs. Now that my camera in working, I will be taking and posting more pictures next season of trees and figs. If I am given access by the owners, I am more than happy to share the extra cuttings.

To date I have not been given any actual names for the fig trees that I have "found". Either the original owners have passed away or moved and the trees have been maintained because the current owner likes the figs, or the trees have been passed around the neighborhood, and the names are long forgotten.

Thanks

Pete...

I also have noticed many, many trees in The Bronx...now that I am actively looking.  I have my eye on two trees in particular...a white and a dark...that have been growing in-ground, unprotected for years.  The trunks have to be between 6"-8" across at the base.  I stopped to talk with the owners, but I can speak very little Italian (except for the curse-words).  A very nice lady told me that I can take cuttings....but, before I start trees from cuttings, I want to make sure that the figs are worth the time and trouble.

None of the trees that I've seen had any kind of pinching, pruning, or training.  They just grow like weeds, and the trees may, or, may not ripen fruit by the time the cool weather rolls around.  Maybe with some proper training techniques, these backyard beauties will perform better, and more consistently.

There is another dark fig tree growing on the grounds of the nursing home where my mom resides. It's hardy, and grows unprotected.   I've tasted the figs in August, and they are not too bad at all.  Sweet, in fact.  Next season, I will air-layer some long branches, and start growing this dark unknown.  I'll call it "Providence Dark" after the nursing home, "Providence Rest Home".  If the air layers strike roots, I will then have some 4ft - 6ft. "trees".

The fig-quest can be fun.  Good luck with your hunt.


Frank

Frank,

I try to get cuttings from trees which I have personally tasted the figs. There are only two unknown that I have posted, that I have not tasted, but I have spoken with several that vouch for their taste (it is the RoseLight and Lindadark).

Half of the trees that I come across have not been properly trained but seem to be productive, and have ripened sizable crops. Most trees have not been pinched , but have been pruned at some point in time.

 
Good Luck with the air layers. I cut away three of the air layers that I started in September  from the unknown "BryantDark" in my previous post. They were over six feet each when removed from the tree. They are now potted in 5 gallon buckets, and have been pruned to multi-branched 3 foot trees. The limb diameter was almost 2 inches. See attached picture at 4 weeks.

Good Luck on your Fig-Quest.

Nice work Pete!  Instant trees...and, at bearing age too.

Next season, I will try your techniques on some larger branches on the "Providence Dark".  Cuttings are nice, but large air-layers are much better.

Good to read your postings.


Now, the wait for the new season.  It's gonna be a long Winter.  : (


Frank

It must be really cool just to come across hardy figs growing in the community.  Not so lucky here in zone 5...... jealous.   Haha!  Cool finds though, and enjoy your quest!

Hello Dave,

Yes it is cool walking through the neighborhoods and seeing all the interesting sights and sounds. Its part of living or visiting NYC, the "melting pot". You would be surprised what you could find walking through your neighborhoods. On my lunch time walks, I have seen many potted fig trees in driveways, although I'm looking for older in ground trees. Don't give up looking.

Thanks,

I tasted also bland / watery figs in NYC. I think the best name would be the street name where the tree is + assumed nationality of origin, unless the owner knows the origin

Stefano,

Thanks for posting. A good portion of the the figs that I come across are bland and tasteless, I do not bother to post them. I make it a point of tasting the figs from the posted trees (there was only two exception, but they had lots of recommendations). I have not and would not post any info on bland varieties. Most of the trees are unknown because the original owners are not around. Calling the figs by street names may be a problem because there are dozens of fig trees on any given street, in that area of the Bronx. Also in consideration of the owners I decided not to give actual locations (several are elderly). The national origins are as stated by the current owners (to the best of their knowledge), and the neighborhood was ethnically Italian.

Thanks,

Pete, Stefano, et al.

Just speculation on my part, but I wonder if these bland, tasteless, figs would improve if grown correctly?  I seriously doubt that most of the growers/owners of these trees ever use  pinching techniques.  It has been my observation, especially in my neighborhood in The Bronx, that most of these fig growers do nothing to improve these trees, except maybe use some fertilizers.  I never see them pruned for fig production, nor do I ever see any limestone being used around the root zones of these in-ground trees.  Most backyard growers just let their trees grow, and if they get figs that's even better.  Not much science involved with neighborhood trees here. 

Still, I wonder.



Frank

Frank,

I agree with your observations. Most of the fig trees are not pruned for production and given proper culture. Most are left on their own and are pruned like Privet Hedges (to reduce size).

My guess is that if the fig tree is currently producing good tasting figs with minimum care, they should produce better figs with proper care. With the large number of fig trees, I have been purposely choosing Hardy, Productive and Tasty varieties, to expend my limited time and resources.

Hi Pete,
 I thought I was lucky being able to go fig tree hunting. I could only imagine all the trees in NY

 Art

Very interesting comments, observations, and propagation techniques.  The large air-layering photos tell the whole story.  Folks...if you can air-layer large branches...that's the way to get an instant, fig bearing tree in one season!.  You just have to wait for roots to grow, instead of waiting for a twiggy, cutting to grow large enough to bear figs.  You will eliminate years of waiting, nurturing, and anticipation of things to come.

Pete...good "selection" techniques when looking for promising, local figs.  Starting with trees that ripen quality figs, is the way to go, as you noted.   If the selected trees make decent tasting figs without great culture, then they can only improve with the help of a little science behind the cultural practices.

The Bronx is loaded with fig trees...and I can only imagine what treasures are growing in Astoria, Queens.  Plenty of 1st generation Greeks, Italians, and other ethnic groups that come from figgy countries living there.  God only knows the kind of fig cuttings that were smuggled into this country. 

Arthur Avenue is another place in The Bronx where one can see plenty of fig trees growing in pots, containers, in small, pocket-gardens, and on fire-escapes, growing in buckets.  As you get into the more exclusive, "tonier digs"...the fig trees disappear, along with the ubiquitous, Ailanthus trees.  In NYC...look for the Ailanthus trees, and a fig tree will not be too far away.

If your hunt for fig trees takes you into the Arthur Ave. neighborhood...treat yourself to a "real" slice of NYC pizza.  You will get a crispy, toasty, flavorful, snack...not the insipid, underdone, raw-gravy, crap, that you find in other States.  Try a slice with some anchovies, or order the end slice from a properly baked Sicilian-style pie.  I could plotz just thinkin' about it!

The doctor told me to lose some weight.  How?  This is New Yawk City...and I live here!  Try staying on a diet and skip the Szechuan Pork Chops at Wo Hop in Chinatown, or, a Pastrami on Rye at Katz's Deli....NOT ME!  The doctor thinks that I could/should just eat some of those Styrofoam rice-cakes, or eat a salad....  I said: "Sure doc...no problem".  I left the office, then went right across the street and had a cup of black coffee with a nice, freshly made Canoli.  I didn't feel guilty either.  : )



Frank

alexlight is just beautiful. love that cracks on the skin.

I consider myself very lucky for the fact that there are tons of fig trees in the area I work and I get to drive around all day looking for new ones...It's like a little hobby of mine, driving around drooling at these trees lol. I'm sure I look like a stalker, slow rolling past the block :). I also work in the bronx and most of the trees I see are huge and unprotected. I believe I only saw a few trees in front of a one house getting a net put over them, other than that I haven't seen any wrapped trees (most are too big). I'll be paying more attention to see if they get any kind of winter protection this season.

Pete,  It appears that these trees are planted in the ground, they are magnificent

Grasa....

Yes, these trees are almost always planted in the ground.  I know of only two, rather large, well grown trees that are growing in very large containers...(half wine-barrels)...and most of these trees have little if any die-back.  The just get bigger each year, until the owners chop the branches off.  I think that some of these trees would easily reach 20 ft. tall, and grow trunks at least 8"-10" in diameter. if allowed to grow unchecked.  I know of two trees in the Pelham Bay area of The Bronx with trunks at least 8" across the base, above the roots.

The hunt for hardy trees is a real hoot.  On more that one occasion I got the evil eye from the area locals.  They probably think I'm some pervert, or some piece of crap looking to steal something.  Come this Spring, I will travel with some air-layer kits packed into the trunk of my car when I ride around.  You'll never know when you might need to do a quick, air-layer.

Enjoy.

Frank

LoL Frenk looks like you are always ready for action.

Pete, what does "Krmk" stands for? as in "KrmkDark" fig?

Art, I don't currently live in the Bronx, I just visit. You could come for a visit and search for trees also :)  

Pete, It is a pretty fig, with the purple blush, and a rich taste (it is a neighborhood favorite, recommended by 3 different older neighbors).

Frank, Thanks for commenting. I am currently spiraling out on a grid search pattern from the Morris Park section. I like good brick oven pizza, and I prefer my pizza with anchovies! Thanks. China town...Peking Duck.

CTFIGS, Park the car and go for a stroll after lunch, I have found several trees and gotten cuttings during my lunchtime walks. Of the scores of large trees (over 12 feet tall) that I have seen only two (2) were covered with netting. Most are too large to cover and too tall to harvest fruit from the top branches.

Eden, I always carry pruning shears and supplies in a 12 Quart plastic basin in my trunk, with water, potting mix , trowel, string, sanitizing solution (new, 10% bleach solution) and plastic bags. It never hurts to be prepared for cuttings.

Grasa, That is the last name of the owner of the tree, the trees are in ground, and they have not been winterized in the past 10 years.

This afternoon 11/15/12, after lunch I took a short walk (4 city blocks) in the north west section of my grid map and happened on this gentleman Joseph pruning his Fig trees. I introduced myself and had a short conversation. I walked away with cuttings from his three (3) trees. These were the only large trees, that I saw covered with netting this past summer.

The tree in the rear is an Italian Honey (from leaf and fig description), it ripens in August. The two trees in the front are unidentified, Joseph informed me that one is white with a dark red interior, the other is dark with a red interior and they both ripen in September. I have a few green figs from the white tree and they have a very dark red interior although they are very green. I will post a few cut fig pictures first chance I get. All the trees were killed to the ground 10 years ago, all the visible growth is only 10 years old, and they have not been winterized (covered) since. That was all the information that I could get today (had to get back to work). On my lunch break tomorrow I will be visiting him again.

All the pruned branches are being placed curbside for sanitation department pickup.

Edit: 11/19/12...Added picture of cut green (unripe) fig and leaf, of the "white with dark red interior", which I will be calling JoeLight. It may be an Adriatic Type. The only other green unripe fig (that I have seen) that had as dark an interior, was Ischia Green.

 

Edit: 12/13/12...Added picture of covered trees.