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Update - North Topsail Beach UNK

  • jtp

I previously posted about an unknown tree I found on North Topsail Beach here in NC. Cuttings were sent out to many friends, as it is a tasty, productive fig, regardless of ID. Initially, I felt it might be either an Alma or a Celeste. After another year, I am still undecided but leaning more toward Celeste.

I went up there this evening and harvested a bowl of figs from the tree, which is located next to a Dumpster at a rental complex. The tree was loaded with figs that were rotting and/or tasted by birds. It is such a waste, as no one seems to appreciate what is there. At any rate, I plan to go up weekly to get what I can from it. It still has a lot of developing figs on it.

The figs were thin-skinned, about the size of a ping pong ball, with a small void inside of some of them (not all). They are sweet with a bit of berry and almost no figgy flavor. Overall, it is a nice fig.

And even if it turns out to be a common variety, it is one tough tree. It is less than 100 yards from the Atlantic Ocean. That part of the island gets flooded with sea water with every tropical storm or hurricane. Past winters have also seen hard freezes. And yet, this tree keeps on producing without dieback.



John, My plant is doing great! It doesn't look like anything I have.
Thanks again.

Looks exactly like my Celeste.

a strain of celeste!

those look wonderful.

  • jtp

They are set to become a fig pie tomorrow, per FMD's recipe. Might top it with pecans.

John,

Does the tree have the cat pee smell?

  • jtp

Nope, no cat smell at all. It is usually fairly breezy out there, so maybe it was wafting away.

John,

It is a shame you are on the southern end of the outer banks. I live right outside of the terminal of outer banks near the northern end in Virginia. 

Be interesting to find out what this fig really is. The desert you posted earlier is a real winner of a tease and make us all ready for a figgy desert. 

  • jtp

I love the Outer Banks. Sometimes, I wish I lived up there, though not during tourist season.

More goodies to come, Chris. That tree is loaded with immature fruit. If we make anything else, I'll be sure to post.

Since we are pretty sure it is a Celeste, I think it should now be "Celeste NTB."

Those look exactly like the ones I grew up eating off my grandmother's tree. The leaves even look the same. Unfortunately, No one in my family knows what type her tree is. At least now I know what it MIGHT be.

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