Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Surprise fig tree (Unk Lake Spur)
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment   Page 1 of 2      1   2   Next
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Went with our son to view a home they are thinking of buying, about four miles away and what do I find in the back yard?

Figs_179.jpg 

Figs_180.jpg 

Figs_181.jpg 

Figs_182.jpg 

The home is vacant but somebody has been cutting off ripe figs so there were none to take pictures of.  It's a very healthy looking bush form but could use some pruning.  If they buy the place so it will be!

What do ya's think? Celeste?

__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Aaron4USA

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,969
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Lets wait for ripe figs :)
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #3 
That may not be possible Aaron, unless my son buys the place and even then it got down to 44 F here last night.  
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
rcantor

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 5,724
Posted Reply with quote  #4 
You'll just have to take some cuttings, grow them and show us the figs in a few years.  If you were truly worthy you would have already gotten cuttings.  Or did you just want to avoid 7,548 requests in your inbox    ;)

What part of the world are we talking about?
__________________
Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
About 25 miles South of Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Guess I'm not worthy, I would never take without asking. :)
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Herman2

Registered:
Posts: 2,625
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
That is not Celeste nor Brown Turkey.
Get Some cuttings I have a filling you will love this one!
ediblelandscapingsc

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 348
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
I agree not Celeste 
__________________
South Carolina zone 7b-8
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #8 
They have decided to try and get the place.  There's also a small twin wall polycarbonate greenhouse my daughter-in-law wants removed asap once things are final.  The tree will go dormant soon and there will be lots of cuttings to go around. :)
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
snaglpus

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 4,072
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
That's a unique fig tree. Look at the leaf pattern. If I were to guess without seeing ripe figs, I'd say it's either Col de Dam Blac or Grantham Royal Rough guess though! Definarely a good find Charlie.
__________________
Dennis
Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a 
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Nice find Charlie. Sometimes it's better to ask forgiveness than permission. Just saying.
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Wow so it might be some special fig tree huh!  That's kind of exciting lol.  
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Charlie. Did you practice rooting all of those cuttings for nothing? It's only 25 miles. And it's dark. And you have my address, lol
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #13 

Actually it's only 4 miles from my home which is 25 miles south of Fort Smith.  I know the current owners who are selling, we used to attend the same church.  I doubt there will be any problem getting some even if my son doesn't get the place.  Hershell you will be the first to get some soon as I do. 
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Thanks Charlie, but actually I was just giving you a hard time.
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
cis4elk

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,718
Posted Reply with quote  #15 
You should ask them some questions, get some info.
Hershell, LOL. I have never heard that before "ask forgiveness..." I love it!
__________________
Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6
Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves.  :)
Aaron4USA

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,969
Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Get the cuttings anyway Charlie. Worst case scenario? It's a FIG :)
MGorski

Registered:
Posts: 370
Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Nice find Charlie, a good looking fig. Perhaps the owners could fill you or your son in about the fig and it's history. If they buy the house, you ought to take that greenhouse if your Daughter-in-law doesn't want it. Might come in handy for your gardening interests.

Mike in Hanover, VA
__________________
Zone-7, previously Mescalito
Otmani007

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 573
Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hershell
Nice find Charlie. Sometimes it's better to ask forgiveness than permission. Just saying.


Everybody should help themselves with Hershel's figs/cuttings and you should be OK as long as you ask for forgiveness. LOL
__________________
Dallas, TX - Zone 8a

Wish List: Col de Dame Blanche, Brogiotto Bianco, Sicilian White, Panache

Otmani
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #19 
If someone comes here and doesn't leave with something there not welcome back because there not a true enthusiast. There is not a greedy bone in my body. Just ask anyone that has visited.
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
Otmani007

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 573
Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hershell
If someone comes here and doesn't leave with something there not welcome back because there not a true enthusiast. There is not a greedy bone in my body. Just ask anyone that has visited.


I've read several of posts outlining your hospitality and generosity. You're a good man, Hershell!
__________________
Dallas, TX - Zone 8a

Wish List: Col de Dame Blanche, Brogiotto Bianco, Sicilian White, Panache

Otmani
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Otmani007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hershell
If someone comes here and doesn't leave with something there not welcome back because there not a true enthusiast. There is not a greedy bone in my body. Just ask anyone that has visited.


I've read several of posts outlining your hospitality and generosity. You're a good man, Hershell!


I wouldn't quiet go that far.
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
Aaron4USA

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,969
Posted Reply with quote  #22 
As I have always said,
if the person doesn't give me the cuttings with his/her blessings and good wishes then I don't want that cutting!

Furthermore...taking without asking is NOT OK...unless it's a neglected and non-vacant property or a wild tree. In which case you are doing the tree a favor helping it survive through the cuttings.

It's just me...;)
waynea

Registered:
Posts: 1,886
Posted Reply with quote  #23 
Great attitude Hershell, people like you get their rewards through the acts of giving, making others feel good and gifted. Let your actions be transferred to everyone and likewise they will carry on the generous acts of giving. Kudos to you.
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Thanks waynea, there are some very generous people here that have helped me tremendously. I would like for all of them to know how much I appreciate there generosity.
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #25 
I spoke with the person who planted the tree.  He said it was three years old and was purchased at a Fort Smith retail garden center location but doesn't know the variety.  He doesn't have a clue about why it dies back every year and said what I see all grew this year.  I'm not calling him a liar but close inspection of the tree clearly shows last year wood and old, dead stumps at least 1.5 inches in diameter where they cut off .  I think he has lost some sense of time.  He also said he has another tree of the same, the figs are just now starting to ripen and calls them a medium size fig.  Did not think to ask the color of ripe figs.  Very much on my mind right now.

The picture in the OP shows the bush from the West and there is a 6' tall wooden fence on the East side, directly behind the bush so it only gets sun from noonish on in Summer and even less Spring and Fall due to trees on the South side of the yard.  It is open to the North and cold winds  The soil is predominantly red clay.

Can get all the cutting I want since it "dies back" anyways and he is interested in talking some more as we just had a few minutes on the phone.  I told him of my 30+ varieties in pots and so we are sure to get together at some soon future date.

    
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #26 
See Charlie. You wouldn't even have to ask for forgiveness. I always have a cutter handy, you never know when an opertunity is going to present its self and a small limb really needs to be pruned for the yard to look nice so the realitor can sell the house with any yard issues. It's just the rite thing to do sometimes. Just saying
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
FiggyFrank

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,712
Posted Reply with quote  #27 
Charlie,

I have a 4 year old fig tree that died back for the first time last winter.  It came back from the roots and looks very close to the size of the tree you posted.  I am still amazed how much it grew this year.  In fact, it is currently larger than it was at 3 years old without die-back.
__________________
Frank
zone 7a - VA
rcantor

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 5,724
Posted Reply with quote  #28 
Hey!  cuttings were my idea in the first place!  And besides, the worst reception anyone's ever gotten was after they had permission to take cuttings, right, Dennis?   :)  Charlie, I think that post was before your time.  Read all about it here.
__________________
Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #29 
There may still yet be an opportunity to get ripe figs from this bush, perhaps telling us more about it before it goes dormant.  I forgot to add there were several suckers too. :) 
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
jdsfrance

Registered:
Posts: 2,591
Posted Reply with quote  #30 
Hi Charlie,
I would prepare a pot with a fig tree. And when the tree is good going I would give it to the guy.
I like "give and take" . Most people do .
Some people fear that if they start giving cuttings, then 100 beggars will knock on the door ...
You can accommodate one but even 5 is hard if you are not prepared to.
I started preparing my self, and now I have some pots ready.
Those pots are also my guinea pigs for potted fig trees trialing .
I already swapped with two neighbors this fall . Don't ask me what I got ... One should be in the Brunswick family, the other one is an unifera ...
Time will tell - if my cuttings survive of course . Yes, I swapped rooted small/medium trees against cuttings ... I guess I need a course on sales and negotiation :) .
So who planted the tree ? Is it the actual owner ?
__________________
------------------------
Climate from -25°C to + 35°C
Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #31 
Yes the guy who planted the tree is the owner who is selling the place in a divorce settlement.  From our short phone conversation and his statement "for some reason it dies back every year", I figure he doesn't know much about fig trees in particular or he would have said "the cold kills it back every winter".  When I asked if he knew the variety, he said "no, I just wanted a fig tree" and that it came from either Lowes or Sutherlands, he didn't exactly remember.  He must have bought two since he said he had another of the same kind, unless he had created another from this tree by some method.

Like I said, our conversation was very limited as both of us were headed for church.  Being from Lowes or Sutherlands garden centers makes me think it has to be some commonly available variety.  This bush is standing at least four feet over the top of the 6' fence in a partially shaded location.  I wonder why or how it grew to be so big in a three year time, dying back every year? 

I could see that some figs had been removed by cleanly cutting them off yet he mentioned his other tree figs were just beginning to ripen and there were not very many unripe ones on this tree.  The house has been vacant so some neighbor must be removing the figs as they ripen.

Will do my best to meet with him one day this week where we can talk more.  
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
figherder

Registered:
Posts: 237
Posted Reply with quote  #32 
Any house with a fig tree has got to be good :)
__________________
Jeff in zone 5b
Wish list
St rita,Vista,Sal's G,De la Reina, preto, Sport and pops purple red from Bellaclare, Planera
Malta Black, Navid Unk Dark Greek,
Aaron4USA

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,969
Posted Reply with quote  #33 
Charlie, 
more I look at the tree pic more good things a
I see on it.
Beautiful and healthy leaves, doesn't seem to be infected with FMV.
When or IF you get cuttings, make sure your cutter is sterilized (to keep the new cuttings FMV free).
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #34 
The house sold out from under my son dang it but the good news is they aren't closing until sometime in November.  The owner told me just to go over and get what I wanted so it will be soon.  
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Aaron4USA

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,969
Posted Reply with quote  #35 
Charlie,
Put me down on the "List" please :)  
Fig with those beautiful leaves can't be a bad one.
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #36 
Tree is probably not going to be dormant before cuttings are taken so I need some advice.  This procedure is new thing to me.

Do I cut the leaves off, leaving a bit of the petiole on the cuttings or completely remove them?  

Would these cuttings benefit from a time of refrigeration before attempting to root?

Should I take everything since the tree is going to likely die back anyway this winter and he did say to take what I want or maybe prune it so that it can be winter protected by the new owners, who I don't even know who they are yet or if they even want the tree at all?
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
WillsC

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,698
Posted Reply with quote  #37 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hershell
If someone comes here and doesn't leave with something there not welcome back because there not a true enthusiast. There is not a greedy bone in my body. Just ask anyone that has visited.


That is the truth.
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #38 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sppsp
Charlie,
Can you dig part it out ( roots and branches and leaves) and bring it home to pot or plant inground?
Also take some green cuttings and root them.
If you get extra green cuttings, I would love to try to root them.
Good luck


Yes there are several suckers to dig up.  Was thinking of taking a couple of buckets full of dirt to fill the holes where those will be dug out.

You are on the cuttings list as are all who have commented here, if they want.  Can't promise to those who will comment after this comment lol, but will gladly share what I can.  I will post a different thread after getting the cuttings to get them distributed.    
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #39 
Working in north Ga. This week I saw two nice trees growing near the street on city property. I took about 20 cuttings of both. I guess I need to ask forgiveness so please consider it done. Anyway you can't even tell I took any limbs but I got plenty. One is in Dahlonega and the other in Dawsonville. They are old trees. The one in Dahlonega I first saw about 20 years ago. In my opinion I would take cuttings and any root suckers I could find. Removing the tree would be extreme.
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
Aaron4USA

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,969
Posted Reply with quote  #40 
Charlie, yes, after taking the branches home, de=leaf them, the left over stocks of the leaves will drop in a week or so, cut the naked branches in 6-8 inch length,equivalent to 3 Nodes on each cutting, wash them well , deep both ends(less than 1/4 inch deep) in melted Paraffin and Store them in zip-lock. You don't have to root them now, Root them in Spring. They will last a very long time in the fridge drawers.
Good luck :)
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #41 
Going now to get cuttings.  :)
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
figgary

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 833
Posted Reply with quote  #42 
Best of luck with it, Charlie. That is a very good looking plant, I hope it turns out to be something special.
__________________
Gary in CA 9A  Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #43 
Got a few. :)

Figs_184.jpg 

Figs_186.jpg 

Figs_188.jpg 

__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
greenfig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 3,182
Posted Reply with quote  #44 
Congrats!
Did you get any ripe figs?
__________________
wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #45 
No ripe figs to be had and many green ones still left on the tree.  The owner was there and said they had not ripened yet this year.  The wildlife is getting them or the neighbor who watched me prune the bush, or the "new" wooden fence has blocked half of the sunlight the tree normally gets.  He said the home buyer was a single man who didn't care about figs so there may be another batch of cuttings in a few weeks.  
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
nycfig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 884
Posted Reply with quote  #46 
Nice find Charlie!
__________________
Danny NYC Z7a

It's all about the figs!

Facebook: NYCfigs

Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet
RichinNJ

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,687
Posted Reply with quote  #47 
That's "a few"
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #48 
I need to get an idea of how many people who have commented in this topic want some of these cuttings. I will trade for anything you want me to have.  So far I know for sure Hershell, Shailesh and Aaron.  So if you have commented in this topic and want some, send me PM with your address.  
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Charlie

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,214
Posted Reply with quote  #49 
These will be labeled as "Unknown Lake Spur" until somebody can put a positive ID on it.  
__________________
Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas 
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #50 
Now I feel much better about you Charlie. That's the way to get a few cuttings.
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply