What Type of Fig Tree Do I Have? A Guide to Identifying Fig Varieties

Nothing beats the sweet flavor of a freshly picked fig. But with over 750 varieties, how do you know what type of fig tree you have? Fig types range in color, shape, size, and ideal growing zones. By examining the tree’s leaves, fruits, climate adaptation, and other traits, you can identify the likely variety.

Getting Started with Fig Tree Identification

When trying to identify your fig tree variety. look at these key features

• Leaf shape and size
• Fruit color, shape, and size
• Cold hardiness zone
• Flavor: sweet or mild

Also note whether your tree produces a single crop (breba) or double crop of figs Breba figs grow in spring on last year’s wood, while main crop figs develop in summer on new wood.

To positively identify the exact variety, you may need to consult with local fig growing experts, agricultural extensions, or nurseries that sell fig trees. But the information below will help narrow down the possibilities.

Common Types of Fig Trees

Here are some of the most popular fig tree varieties grown in home gardens

Brown Turkey

• Cold hardiness: Zones 6-10
• Leaves: Medium green, deeply lobed
• Fruit: Coppery brown skin, pink flesh, sweet flavor
• Crop: Breba and main crop

A versatile fig variety well-suited to containers. Brown Turkey is widely adapted and produces tasty figs.

Black Mission

• Cold hardiness: Zones 8-10
• Leaves: Large, bright green
• Fruit: Purple-black skin, strawberry colored flesh
• Crop: Main crop

The classic fig for the West Coast. Black Mission offers rich flavor and high yields in hot climates.

Celeste

• Cold hardiness: Zones 7-11
• Leaves: Medium green, deeply divided
• Fruit: Violet skin with light pink flesh
• Crop: Breba and main crop

A favorite for its sweet, mild flavor. Celeste thrives in warm, humid southern regions.

Desert King

• Cold hardiness: Zones 8-11
• Leaves: Large, bright green
• Fruit: Green skin blushing yellow when ripe
• Crop: Breba and main crop

Desert King bears abundant juicy figs in hot, dry climates like Arizona. Drought tolerant once established.

Kadota

• Cold hardiness: Zones 8-10
• Leaves: Small, deeply lobed
• Fruit: Light green skin, amber flesh
• Crop: Main crop

A small-fruited fig ideal for cooking and drying. Kadota is highly productive in coastal California.

Identifying Fig Trees by Leaf Characteristics

Fig leaves offer clues to the tree’s variety. Look for these distinguishing features:

• Leaf shape: Palmate (hand-shaped) or pinnate (feather-like)
• Depth of lobing: Shallow or deep
• Leaf size: Small, medium, or large
• Leaf color: Light to dark green

For example, Brown Turkey has medium green, deeply lobed leaves compared to Black Mission’s large, bright green leaves. Subtle differences in leaf features can help point to the fig type.

Using Fruit Traits to Identify Fig Varieties

Figs themselves also provide identification hints based on:

• Skin color – green, yellow, brown, purple, black
• Flesh color – strawberry, pink, amber, dark red
• Shape – round, oblate, pear, turbinate
• Size – small, medium, large
• Flavor – sweet, mild, rich

So a fig with purple-black skin and strawberry flesh likely indicates the popular Black Mission variety. Matching fruit qualities to known fig types helps pin down the possibilities.

Recognizing Optimal Growing Zones

Since fig varieties thrive in different temperature ranges, climate zones offer another identification clue:

• Cold hardy figs – Grow in zones 6-11 (withstands cooler winters)
• Warm climate figs – Grow in zones 8-11 (needs hot summers)
• Coastal figs – Suited for Pacific coastal zones 8-10
• Southern figs – Prefer hot, humid southern zones 9-11

For example, Celeste does well in warm, humid areas like the Southeast and Gulf states. Understanding your microclimate helps match the fig to suitable regional varieties.

Identifying Breba vs. Main Crop Fig Varieties

Some fig types bear two crops per year while others produce just one. Recognizing when your tree fruits aids identification:

• Breba varieties – Produce a small spring crop on last year’s wood, followed by a main fall crop on new wood.
• Main crop varieties – Bear a single, main crop in late summer on new wood. No breba crop.

For instance, Brown Turkey and Celeste yield both breba and main figs. But Black Mission only bears a large main crop. Timing provides clues to the variety.

Consulting Local Fig Growing Resources

For definitive fig variety identification, turn to local experts including:

• Area fig growing associations
• University agricultural extensions
• Nearby fig specialty nurseries
• Long-time local fig growers
• Master Gardener groups active in your county

These resources can examine leaf and fruit samples or photos and provide authoritative variety identifications based on extensive local experience. Their expertise is invaluable for pinpointing your exact fig type.

Using DNA Testing to Identify Fig Trees

For ambiguous trees, DNA fingerprinting can conclusively identify the fig variety. Labs compare sample plant tissue against known genetic markers for each type. However, this process is expensive – around $75 per test. DNA testing makes sense for valuable orchard trees but is impractical for home growers.

Start by checking visual features and consulting expert help to zero in on your mystery fig’s identity. Resort to DNA testing only if other options are exhausted.

Top Tips for Identifying Your Fig Tree Variety

Follow these tips for your best shot at matching your tree to possible fig types:

• Photograph leaves from several areas of the tree along with whole fruits, preferably when ripe.

• Note whether your tree bears a single or double fig crop each year.

• Check with local nurseries or university extensions to identify regional fig varieties.

• Join online fig forums and post photos asking for help identifying your tree.

• Examine leaf lobing, shape, size, and color closely and compare to known fig leaf traits.

• Look up descriptions of skin and flesh colors for known fig varieties to compare with your fruit.

• Research the optimal climate zones and growing needs for different fig types to match your tree.

Next Steps After Identifying Your Fig Variety

Once you believe you have identified the type of fig tree you have, take these next steps:

• Search for cultivation specifics recommended for that variety. Each type has slightly different care needs.

• Start keeping records of your tree’s development including when breba and main fig crops ripen.

• Label your tree with the suspected variety using a tags or marker.

• Consult with local fig growers to ensure your identification seems accurate.

• Enjoy your harvest! Now that you know the variety, look up recipe ideas to highlight your fig’s unique flavors.

Identifying your mystery fig tree helps provide proper care and allows anticipating when tasty fruits will be ready to pick.armed with variety-specific information, you can craft an optimal cultivation strategy. Soon you’ll be savoring the sweet fruits of correctly identifying your special fig tree.