Sebastian County Home & Garden
Fruit Tree information
Figs in Sebastian County
If you have a sunny spot in your garden and have been aching to try your hand
at growing a fruit tree, figs may be the perfect choice. Figs are easy to grow.
In fact there is no easier fruit for a beginning orchardist!
Fig Facts:
- The fig is really an inside out flower.
- In common figs the “seeds” are actually unfertilized ovaries.
- Figs are high in dietary fiber.
- Yes, squirrels eat figs, too.
- Figs are easy to propagate.
- Figs trees produce latex. In fact the Rubber Plant is a species of fig (Ficus
elastica).
- The botanical name of edible figs is Ficus carica L.
Martha Stewart Living did a nice story on figs in September 1997
(although I understand a few names were wrong in the article.) I guess that
means figs have hit the big time.
Fig Types:
Not all figs are created equal! There are actually 4 distinct kinds of edible
figs:
- Common Figs: These are the kind recommended in Arkansas. The
fruit does not have true seeds. Fruit is borne on current year’s growth.
No pollination is required.
- Smyrna types: These are the sort of figs that are usually sold as
dried figs in the store. While these are good eating, they require
pollination from a caprifig by a tiny wasp that does not survive in our
climate.
- San Pedro types: These figs are a schizophrenic combination of Smyrna
and common figs. These set a crop without pollination like common figs called
the breba crop. Afterward there is a second crop (the main crop) that requires
pollination just like Smyrna figs.
- Caprifigs: Most figs do not have viable pollen are require
pollination from the (usually) inedible caprifig. There’s no point in
growing this in Arkansas since we don’t raise types of figs that require
pollination.
Fig Culture:
In warmer climates, figs produce an attractive, medium-sized tree. Here in
Sebastian County we can expect a large bush. Most figs in our county reach 12 to
15 feet tall at most. They are a very attractive addition to our landscapes. And
they’re edible!
Since we think of figs as more of a bush here, you do not need to worry too
much about establishing a nice, pretty form like most other fruits, however, it
is still important to remove damaged branches, criss-crossing limbs, and
branches that are causing excessive shading. Figs here should have multiple
trunks. In warm climates like Southern Texas or California, they can be trained
as trees. As a rule, try to minimally prune common figs. Celeste figs especially
do not respond well to pruning. Any pruning of figs should only be done in
winter to minimize bleeding.
Not all varieties of figs are hardy in the River Valley. The Sebastian County
Cooperative Extension Service is conducting a fig variety trial to better
determine the suitability of various cultivars. Please see our page on varieties
and the variety trial for more information.
Plant figs in a sunny place. South sides of buildings are especially good as
the shelter helps moderate winter temperatures. Be sure to have access to water.
But don’t over do it. Figs hate wet feet. Be sure to water deeply during the
heat of summer.
Ripe figs should be harvested off the tree. Figs will not ripen off the tree
no matter what you do to them. Figs can be dried, eaten fresh (yum!), or made
into a spread.
Figs don’t really have any pest problems to speak of. Sometimes they can get
root-rot nematodes, but it is seldom noticed by the homeowner. The most common
malady I see on figs here is over-watering leading to root rot.
Sebastian County Fig Information
Figs on the Internet:
There’s a lot of good fig information on the web. Here are the most useful
sites:
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