Hi All,

I have an unknown fig tree being in ground for 3 years (healthy bush style) abt. 6 ft tall and 6 ft wide with direct sun for at least 5 hours per day. The second year started to produce some figs but never ripen, the third year remain unchanged. My major concern that I am thinking to remove it and replace with other fig tree is I found most figs are having some black dots on the surface of each figlet. I have no idea why this happen.

Since this unknown fig tree is pretty big, I do not think that I can dig it out and replace with a new fig tree. Do you think if it is better and easy to cut all branches up to the ground level and plant another fig tree next to it since this is the only space to plant a new fig tree there in my backyard. 

Any suggestion to help me to solve the problem will be much appreciated.

Regards

Pacifica

Maybe you should get some expert to graft some varieties (nice fruits and early ripen) for you. For sure it will save you years to start from small trees.

 black dots on the surface of each figlet: due to ant bites? or sun burn? it happened to my plants/fruits too.

It is much better to dig it out and prepare the area and plant a good fig trees in this area.

You can put an Ads in Craigslist, I had an 2 years old unwanted brown Turkey, I posted in craigslist and I got many responses.
Anyway, I was worry that they damaged my garden, I changed my mind and dig it up myself and gave it away in 10 gallon pot.
I really do not know how to dig tree out, I was lucking that I have a long 30 lbs metal ripping bar, I used it to break couple strong roots, it is not hard to dig out smaller trees with this type of tool.

Only 5 hours Sun?, Is it noon SUN?, I tested a "Desert king" fig tree between my neigbour's house where it is getting 5-6 hour noon SUN, It ripened figs with great taste only 1-2 week late than DK in full sun.

Thanks Ricky for your valuable informations. I did ask a guy to help me to dig out the tree for me but he asked for C$150 that is really too much. I have a few large fig trees being potted for 3 years with ripen figs, I was thinking to move one over there (3 - 4 ft next to the one that I plan to dig out) but due to insufficient space in my backyard, I might cut out the bottom part of the large pot and dig a small hole to let the fig tree to sit on the round (I would say to dig 6" deep) so the roots can grow into the soil (underneath the soil) I did one fig tree before and is still growing. Long term is still better to keep the fig tree in pot for too long. Does this make sense if no way to dig out the roots.

By the way,there are many others small trees surrounding, perhaps the fig tree does not have enough air circulation and create black dots on each figlet. What do you think ?

I know what you mean, However, It is much better to dig it out, If you leave its root ball there, It will keep on growing back.

Fig wood is quite soft at this time of year, It is not hard to dig it out, Do u have reciprocate saw? you can use it to prune tree down till main branch left, Then  dig around tree, and use saw to cutout all side roots, then shake the tree left and right, then it will come out with small root ball.

I plan to dig out 8 years old fig tree in size of 14x12 FT with thick body in next 1-2 year, and replace it with "Granthams Royals" - better fig trees for our area.

Even Roberto's fig tree, It grows shocking fast here in 2 year, It reach 12 ft x 6 FT size, If I am not able to taste its fig next year and see what quality of its fig, I will get rid of it.

Next year, I plan to dig out 2 in ground Chicago Hardy, I find that It needs high heat to ripen its fig with sweetness and our summer is too cool for it, I like high sweetness fig.

There are just too many varieties of fig trees, Pot culture needs lots of work, I trial them in pots, if It perform well, I would prefer to put them in ground.

Is the tree healthy? If so, Graft. Graft. Graft and if you have second thoughts graft. Why start from scratch if you have a well established root system? But if you really really want to do something else- graft anyway lol

Since I am new in grafting fig tree plus I have no patient to wait for the success, it looks like I will proceed to dig out the root ball if my friend can join me to-morrow with some good tools etc. I have one green fig tree abt 10 ft tall being potted for almost 3 years and it started to produce eatable fig fruits from last year and so as this year as well, so I have decided to dig the old one out and put this unknown green fig tree there, hopefully it will grow better in ground than in 20" plastic container.

I feel sorry to the old one but in the last 3 years, never got one figlet ripen. I will also get rid some of the other potted fig trees by giving to people who likes fig tree and only keep a few more for fun. 3 years ago, I gave one small fig tree to my relative in Vancouver and this year his fig tree grow like crazy and produced more than 100 ripen fig fruits. I am so jealous of him !!! Ha..... ha......ha.............. If I could have one like that, I will just keep one and get rid of the others 

Do u think that your 10FT green unknown fig tree will bear fig with only 5 hour sun?

It is challenge for fig tree to bear fig with only 5 hours SUN, I heard that Latturula (Italian honey) ripen fig in half shaded area.
I trialed 2 years old "Desert king" and "Brown Turkey" in half shaded area between my house and my neighbor's house,  D.K ripened 20 sweet figs with near normal size, Brown Turkey ripen one small bland 1/2 size fig, both trees grow up Leggy style.

If you just want to keep few trees in ground, you should really think about this, Desert king is really good varieties for our area, Both potted, full sun, shaded in ground ripen sweet figs in 2 years, I got " Grantham's Royal" May/2017 as 6 leaves cutting, it doesn't grow very fast, but bear more than 20+ figs as quarter size, Amazing tree for our climate, I do find couple good fig trees for our area this year.

My 10 ft unknown green fig tree did bear more than 30 good size sweet figs last year and a little more so far this year. The shape is exactly like leggy as well. 

I bought one Desert King from Costco being in ground for 2 years but still growing very slow with only 2 figs so far (not ripen since April) Very disappointed with this DK and so as Brown Turkey that I bought also 2 years ago. Actually I bought one of each Kadota and DK from the local nursery in May and they are doing very well in pot but no figs. I will keep them to see if they will produce more figs next year or not. 

I heard most fig trees are not doing very well this year. they started to bear figs late this year and looks like impossible to ripen till Oct or even late depending on the weather. Have you heard about this ? I used to buy Black Mission in June at 6.99 per box of 10 figs, but this year I got only in early Aug at 7.99. from the market.