Last year at about this time, I found an old tree on an abandoned lot. CalTrans was consolidating several lots into one big one, so I figured the tree would go. Took a few cuttings from it. I sent some cuttings out to a several people, some sent with Unk 7th St. cuttings.
I'd thought the Chestnut St. tree was just another common Black Mission, but I was completely wrong about that. Very slow grower, but seems the old tree wasn't especially healthy. Original leaves were kind of small, misshapen and mottled. This year, though, once it broke dormancy, it looks great. The leaf is large with 3 smooth lobes and 2 distinct thumbs. It's a big, yellow fig. As it's growing, it is distinctively ridged and bumpy. As it ripens, it gets smoother. Bigger than a pingpong ball, but a bit smaller than a tennis ball. Maybe the size of a handball. Flat bottom. Closed eye. Amber flesh. Extremely sweet honey flavor. Delicious. I am wondering if anyone might have an idea what it could be.
I'm in the SF Bay Area. The tree is probably around 100 years old, from the turn of the last century or so. The demolished house was a Victorian. Many of the oldest European immigrants in the neighborhood were Portuguese, from the Azores. However, the Mission figs were originally from the Spaniards. The 7th St. turned out to be a VdB.
Thank you!!