It is the first week of July, in what has been a cool year. The ~6 year old fig tree, varietal uncertain; green skin, coloured interior, was grown from cutting is on the North Shore of Vancouver. It is in ground in an open, well-lit area. Last year was the first modest yield of fruit, though most were small and few fully ripened by the end of the season. I pruned several feet of growth last fall, so it now stands about 7 ft tall (with new growth), across several dozen branches. This year was starting to look very good with most branches sprouting 6-8 figs, the largest being just over the size of a cherry. BUT in the first few days this week, critters (squirrels, I think), got to all but one fig, which of course they cam back for today! The tree is completely barren of fruit. It is now belatedly been covered in a bird netting. It should be early enough in the season still to hope for a second go at it. My question to the forum is, what is the best approach to get a second and good yield? Should I prune back the the new growth, go beyond the new, heavily or leave it as is ? I can attach pics tmrw if necessary.
Most figs push two crops of figs every year. Pruning the new growth will prevent the second crop from occurring this year, so leave as-is. Follow the pruning advice re: thinning during the dormant season as advised here: FS1198: Figs in the Home Garden (Rutgers NJAES)
Crows, eastern gray squirrels and wharf rats all eat figs in our region. With the latter even being so enticed by them as to sit in the trees helping themselves in broad daylight. As they do with orchard apples as well. Speaking of which pileated woodpeckers peck at apples so maybe figs too. Also when I went on a guided tour many years ago of plantings at the government experiment station in Mount Vernon, Skagit County, Washington they had somehow managed to trap a number of desperate looking starlings inside a cage of some size (big enough for several people to stand in). And were doing this because these peculiarly unpleasant alien birds were going for the fruit plantings there. Point being you may have to cover your fig when ripeness is approaching on a routine basis going forward.
The fruit was barely there, so I guess next time, I put the net on in May when they are still buds! Here is the tree ..
The good news it there is now a small number of new figs on the new growth, less than and smaller than what was lost. I will let these mature, harvest then prune. Thx.
As it is on the young and small side your tree would probably enjoy not having the lawn come right up to the base of it.
Yes, hard to tell from the picture, but there was actually a 12-14" dia opening around the trunk, just a bunch of taller perimeter grass and creeping buttercup invading. It was later cleaned up back to 24-28 ", which is probably plenty wide.
Most fig varieties grown in the Vancouver area never ripen the late crop of figs; so, you may not get any ripe figs this year.
I had the same thought. Otherwise regarding the grass free area a minimum of 3 ft. is often recommended (for young trees in general). As here: Avoid planting trees in lawns. Turfgrass and trees conflict with each other. Trees shade turfgrass which results in a thinning sward and increased disease prevalence. Turfgrass slows the growth of trees in an attempt to limit their shading effects. Turfgrass is a very competitive water user and trees will be deprived of moisture and nutrients if turfgrass is present. If trees must be planted in lawns, maintain at least a 1 yard radius around them with no turfgrass. Problems with Planting Trees – The Garden Professors™
