Hi all,

I planted two more figs a month ago (kadota & panache) and one of them has a strange leaf problem that I can't seem to identify.

The thing is, this is at least the third kadota that I have planted in my yard, and the other two met the same exact fate. I posted on another forum but never got any answers. This tree is in an entirely different spot from the last ones, I have other figs that are growing successfully, and it didn't seem to matter if I watered more or less.

The leaves get this rust colored burning look in between the veins, near the center of the leaf. Only Kadota is affected, and the leaves fall off one by one until (if memory serves) the tree is dead.

Should I shade it? That is the only thing I can think of at this point. I've been careful not to overwater and even planted this one slightly raised, with a little moat around it for watering. I am also including pics of other figs to show you that I am not crazy, and it is just Kadota!

edit: Forgot to mention, all my kadotas I think have been Dave Wilson trees. I have one other DW fig at this point, the new Panache, and it is a little shocked by the Arizona temps but not like this.

That looks like sunburn. Either the tree is too dry, it looks dry, or the leaves weren't hardened off when moved into the sun. I'd make sure the root zone is moist and provide shade until it recovers.

To be clear in the center photo the soil looks bone dry. You've got to keep the original rootball moist until it can root into moist new soil. Some mulch would help.

I think fignutty is correct that is sunburn.  Same thing happened to a few of my young fig tree that grew from cuttings.  

What I did to get my plants back to shape is misting the leaves and I built a box around them using mesh material (I just use some left over screen door mesh).  I use the mesh material because it gets windy where I live so that prevents the box being blown over by the wind.  It also allowed me to water the plant without removing the cover and the plant still get some sun but not enough to get sunburn.

Just got back from the hardware store and this fig is now shaded and watered again. I used burlap as the fabric and hopefully I can get this tree to bounce back. The unmulched raised part is abotu 10" wide and I have mulched around but not on top so that I can be sure I don't overwater. I will add more mulch tomorrow to cover it up.

It's weird though, these leaves fall off while still green and un-crunchy. If this is a sun burn it looks different than other plants, who all get a bit tired at the end of a hot AZ summer.

Hi,
IMO, that tree is thirsty .
If you have a pipe, or a soda bottle bury it near the tree to get the water in or next to the root-ball .
Why are you concerned about over watering that in ground tree ?
Your dirt looks like being bone dry, so IMO you can't over-water in those conditions .
So I would instead water more.

Are your figs on drip irrigation?  If so, check the emitter.  Our weather is not as hot as yours, but now and then, a fig tree will show symptoms like yours.  It's mostly a clogged emitter, OR some critter has bitten the line.  We flood those trees, fix broken lines and replace the emitters when this happens.

Suzi

Our soil is more claylike and heavy, and the drainage is adequate in that part of the yard but not fast (according to twice-filled-hole test). Our PH is also extremely high, I forget the exact number but I think it is in the 8's or 9's. Chlorosis and root rot are real problems, and I've already made that mistake with a few trees. The native soil is a bit reddish and nothing like the "chocolate cake" soil that I have seen in other states. But hopefully I am improving it over time with the amendments on top!

I mulched this one heavily the other day and it just rained, and I will monitor it more carefully for water. I guess the good thing about heavy soil is that once the water is in and mulch on top, it stays wetter for longer.