August 24, 2015 - Perhaps one of the more iconic trees growing next to older homes in east Texas is a fig tree. Figs are one of the first fruits planted by settlers. Figs are also mentioned numerous times in the Bible.
If you are looking for a great addition to your landscape that can be expected to produce, consider figs. When planted in a good location, figs can thrive and do exceedingly well for many years.
When choosing a site for figs, select an area that has sun for most of the day. Although figs can be grown in all types of soil, they do not tolerate poorly drained sites. Avoid sites and soils where water stands for more than 24 hours after a rain. In areas of poor drainage, roots receive insufficient oxygen, which results in stunted growth and eventual death of the tree.
If you already have a fig tree and it survived the water-soaked soil earlier this year, then you are probably in the clear.
There are three more commonly recommended varieties for this area. ‘Celeste,’ which is the most cold hardy, and is very productive. ‘Texas Everbearing’ is another common, hardy variety with large early fruit. ‘Brown Turkey,’ is another old favorite that does well. Some say it is the same variety as ‘Texas Everbearing’ and some say that it is similar but not the same variety. These last two can sometimes injured in freezes, but come back to bearing quickly.
Soil moisture must be managed carefully because most roots of the fig trees are close to the soil surface and can easily dry out. Figs are very susceptible to soil-borne nematodes that feed on small roots and reduce water movement into the tree. For these reasons, apply water to the trees as drought develops. Slight leaf wilting in the afternoon is a good indication of water stress.
Mulching with straw or grass clippings helps maintain uniform soil moisture and reduces weed competition for available soil water. Water stress frequently causes premature fruit drop of Texas fig varieties which do not have true seeds. This problem is very common in hot, dry areas when the fig tree is grown in shallow soil and roots are nematode infested.
Trees planted in shallow sites are subject to injury or death when the soil is saturated with water. Good water management, including regular irrigation and mulching, helps maintain tree health and vigor and reduces fruit drop.
Mature fig trees can produce approximately 50 pints of fig preserves each year depending on whether you preserve them whole or mashed.
Here is a great and easy fig jam recipe taken from So Easy to Preserve and the Cooperative Extension at The University of Georgia.
Fig Jam
2 quarts chopped fresh figs (about 5 pounds)
¾ cup water
6 cups sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
To prepare chopped figs – Pour boiling water over figs; let stand 10 minutes. Drain, stem and chop figs.
To make jam – Sterilize canning jars. Measure and add ¾ cup water and sugar to figs. Slowly bring to boiling, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly until thick. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add lemon juice and cook 1 minute longer. Pour hot jam into hot jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids. Process 5 minutes in a boiling water bath.
