Mocking birds, Squirrels, 99 deg days, too much rain, blistering sunshine, leaves turning crispy.

All the above, makes me wonder, why bother.  This started out as the best production year I have had, when the temps got above 95f, it started going bad.  You have to water to save the trees but regardless of what you do, the sun really beats up the trees.

Starting erection of the greenhouse which will be used primarily as a shade house this time of year.  Hopefully it will help.

Why bother?
Because I still love to see the first fig leaves in Spring, the first figs ripening, and the satisfaction of seeing it all come together in the good years.

I really do HATE Mocking birds and squirrels.  I have never killed any in my yard, YET!

It does get frustrating with critters always winning.
I like to get deer corn and put it in a bird feeder box (of a sort)
then I wipe out the whole tribe of them squirrels with a .22 air rifle.
They can't resist, and neither can I.
Hunting season for them is all but a few months out of the year.
But I do feed the tree rats as soon as season opens.
I don't know what to do about mocking birds....we have a bunch of
them hanging around.

Doug

Apparently the hippies in San Francisco are actively seeking out mocking birds

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/attract-mockingbirds-garden-33292.html
 

In the meantime you could use some shade cloth and maybe an air crow!!

I saved a mocking bird from my net recently. It became entangled after trying to go for one of my figs. Had to cut the net to free it. The way I see it, if I manage to keep the in ground tree alive long enough, it might feed us all. Of course at current levels of production, I'm not too happy to share with the birds especially when they nail a fig that I've waiting for patiently.
I'm starting to believe in the theory that green figs are less visible to birds and I'm getting definitive proof of it this season.
They love yellow, red, black etc.. But left me with over 12 large green figs on one of my trees without losing any and I was able to pick them all. I intend to hopefully propagate more of this variety. This might be the solution. More fig trees:)

~is mocking birds hard on the figs ,? ~



Yes they peck at ripe ones, just before you get ready to pick them.
You know, you wait till the fig is just ready, then it's too late once they know the
fruit is there.
I've never killed a mocking bird.


Doug

I net my trees. The mocking birds can go eat somebody else's figs. 

Danny,
We have had the similar weather in Niagara this year.  We could be twin cities Waskom Tx/Niagara, On, Ca..lol

We haven't seen a substantial rainfall since April and most days have been with intense sun and brisk wind. 
Plants and trees are dry to the bone.
My only fig trees doing great are my in ground trees.  Looks like a banner year for them.  Had to move the container figs to the shade to save them.

On the positive front cherries are having best year I have ever seen in 20 years. 
Other fruit trees look like they are super stressed out.  
My blueberries this year are tiny and have literally shrivelled up both fruits and leaves.  Hope they survive.

So why bother? 
Because years like this test the limits and teaches a lesson on what grows best when the weather doesn't cooperate.  Yummy cherries this year!   Last year the apricots were amazing this year none.

Yeah, mockingbirds can do a number on a fig crop.  A couple years ago they seemed to want all my figs.  I don't mind sharing some, but it was ridiculous.  It hasn't been as bad the last couple years.

Pino,

What can you tell us about the Ranier cherry variety? It is my favorite cherry variety for eating. Have you been successful in growing this one and how productive is it?

Hi Sas
Sorry I don't have a Ranier Cherry.  It sounds interesting I will see if I can get a couple next year.

I had a couple of cherry trees that must have been over 100 yrs old and were still producing nicely but were victims of recent wind storms. 

Now I have 3 old unknown black cherry trees, a few heidelfigen that I planted and I have I been top grafting some existing trees with better varieties from the neighbouring orchards.

I think that's really cool about the green figs are less preferable to birds because of the smell and camouflaged from their sight because of the color.  It makes sense why they would be cultivated in the first place, given that from all I have heard and read that dark figs tend to be sweeter and more flavorful than greens.  But even still, if the taste is decent and you keep your crop, that may be worth cultivating compared to the incredible that you lose 95% of.  Especially in a time before bird netting...

chucklikestofish


your right

I don't just have mocking birds, they nest and raise their young on my place too.
Every year more young mockers.

When it comes to my figs, well, whatever it takes.

Doug

boy, danny, my experience isn't like yours. this has been the worst summer for heat ever.
it was over 100 3-4 day/week thru june. yesterday, 112, today, 114.
my trees haven't noticed.
haven't set fruit tho. i fertilized too long.
i do have a mocking bird n i love it. after 5 drought years with no birds
their sound is wonderful.
i'll share with him
there is a hole in the world when there are no birds.

by the way, i'm thinking this incredible heat should stress the trees enow to show any fmv.
so far, all clean. no trees to burn.

My outdoor feral cats keep the birds away, they earn their keep, also helps to keep mice from eating the bark when you wrap the trees you need a cat a BIG MEAN NASTY CAT!!!

Why? Because it keeps us busy !
I got hail on 20th of June ... All leaves got shredded ... I wouldn't have miss it if it had gone without hitting the garden ... Ho well, keep going !
There are still some fruits left to hopefully take some pics, to make you guys and girls salivate :), and to renew my fig jam stock...

I have the same bird problems here. I finally threw away all my netting, because it does no good unless it is on a frame to keep it from touching the trees. When the Mockingbirds got caught in my nets, I just popped their necks and left them there as a warning to others. My best solution has been to quit cutting my trees back so much each year for cuttings. By letting the trees get larger, there are more than enough for me and the birds.

I don't believe the birds care what color my figs are. Green, Red, Tan, Purple or Black are all eaten with equal gusto.

I will not let birds win this year.
Whatever it takes.
Not sure if there is any laws protecting mocking birds in South Carolina.
We have a pair of red tailed hawks that nest in the back of my property every year.
Their youngins do not seem to stick around.
They are welcome birds. An what a sight.

Doug