Newbie here hoping someone may help me out In identifying what this gaping hole is in the base of my new fig tree?

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Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1436742889	Reply with quote #1

Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a little while here and greatly enjoy the forum. I've recently been bit hard by the "must grow fig trees now" bug, and Ohhh boy am I obsessed.. Lol! Now I just received my 3rd fig tree in the mail, a Chicago Hardy that I ordered from Nature Hills Nursery online (what a nightmare that place is but that's another story). It arrived with this huge gaping hole near the bottom of the trunk.. It looks like they (N.H. Nursery) pruned a branch off initially & then maybe some sort of bug chowed down the center and hollowed it out perhaps? Would any of you fellow fig fanatics with more experience than I help me figure out what happened here? I'd really appreciate any guidance at all. I've posted the pic, hopefully I did it right.. This is my very first post so forgive me if I somehow messed it up :) Thank you in advance! Attached Images image.jpg (415.81 KB, 128 views) __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1436744175	Reply with quote #2

It shouldn't be a problem. Eventually as the trunk grows it will surround the opening in the dead wood and then engulf it completely. Some folks might suggest filling the hole with grafting wax but most recommend not doing that and to just let it heal naturally. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1436744876	Reply with quote #3

Whewww... Glad to hear it doesn't look like anything too serious.. I wonder what the heck caused that? I've seen something similar on one of the branches of my new Celeste fig tree, but it was sooo much smaller and definitely did not look hollowed out inside like this one.. I appreciate your help on this, I'm just trying to be a good fig mama and make sure to do the right things for my new babies here :) lol Thanks a bunch! __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1436751572	Reply with quote #4

Don't worry about it! Half of my Fig Trees (that were grown from cuttings) have the old wood, with a hole just like that! Just leave it alone! It will be fine! : ) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1436754220	Reply with quote #5

I agree with these other fine gentlemen. Shouldn't be anything to worry about. I've had similar ones like that. I would still send the pic to the company just so it's on record, just in case it takes an unexpected turn for the worse. Welcome to the forum! __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1436762344	Reply with quote #6

Perfectly normal for a plant grown from a non-tip cuttings, which is probably 90% of the fig trees out there. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1436789457	Reply with quote #7

Hi, This happens when one cuts a big branch . So the cutting used was a bit big. I wouldn't leave that tree as is, as that hole is bigger than the diameter of the branch. I wouldn't worry, but would pot up that tree and bury the hole in the potting medium . At some point the tree will make roots above that hole and the problem would be over. The problem here is that the bark seems to be retracting down and with wind the branch could fall and leave the roots alone. So before that happens ... I would use the above fix. Fig trees are able to get over that, one simply needs to help and support them while they are healing themselves. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1436802422	Reply with quote #8

Every cutting I root and every hole that I see open on my fig tree, I always fill it with wood glue. It's keep insects out and deters the ambrosia beetle. If you use Gorilla glue wet the hole first, then only add a tiny bit of glue. The glue swells up and complete a nice round mound. The glue is not toxic and do not hurt the tree. I recommend a good premium quality wood glue from Lowes. Hope this helps! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1436822306	Reply with quote #9

Thank you for all your help, suggestions, and reassurance that this is a 100% normal thing for fig trees that are grown from larger "non tip" cuttings. Like some of you suggested, I am concerned that some bug may decide to start a family in there due to the size of this gaping hole at the base of the trunk! So wood glue filler would do the trick? Or even just adding more potting medium to cover the hole may work as well? Perhaps both are in order, just bc Id rather be safe than sorry.. Just the kinda girl I am ;) I was planning on planting this guy in the ground in a year or two, so I'd like to make sure the tree has a great start now in order to survive our sometimes brutally cold winters (Zone 6A). Thank you all for the warm welcome! Looking forward to chatting with you all in the future and politely picking your brains for more fig knowledge lol! So far I've got a Celeste, Marseilles Black, and now the Chicago Hardy.. And I have never tried a fig in my life.. Lol! But I can't wait to get the chance.. Bought the first tree in honor of my Italian grandma who LOVES figs, (96 y/o & still going strong) and within a month's time I now have 3 :) Sure hope I like them! Hehe.. Regardless they are beautiful trees with a rich history.. Can't go wrong there right?? __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1436832474	Reply with quote #10

I had 1 like that this year. Gorilla glue and replant deeper. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

Jerry_M

Registered:1427223807
Posts: 344

Posted 1436834311	Reply with quote #11

Welcome jamie. You are close to being hooked. You are in for a great ride to the world of figs. Hang on! __________________ Jerry Canyon Lake, TX 8b Wanted: Cajun Gold, Louisiana Honey, Schar Israel-114 grams

mic

Registered:1417007842
Posts: 103

Posted 1436854794	Reply with quote #12

Hi Jamie, In the past I've just trimmed back the dead wood in situations like this until the hole is no longer. It might be another option depending on the depth. It may just fall off if you leave it long enough. __________________ Mic ~ Australia ~ Equivalent to US Zone 10

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1436870253	Reply with quote #13

Mic that's a great idea, especially since I cannot find my wood glue (I know that darn stuff is here somewhere though lol) .. I'm going to have a better look to see how far down this hole goes.. Hoping it does not recede too far down into the trunk.. __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

philos

Registered:1349018083
Posts: 122

Posted 1436894159	Reply with quote #14

Looks big and may cause a negative impression, but I would not worry about it. __________________ Jerry - Zone 6B Westchester, New York. 2015 Wish List: Florea, White Greek, Italian 258, Galicia Negra and any M. Pons varieties.

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