Advantages and disadvantages of fig trees in the garden: a complete guide

All about the fig tree: advantages and disadvantages of having it in the garden

The FIG tree (ficus carica) is an emblematic tree of the Mediterranean and many other regions of the world, appreciated both for its ornamental value and for its easy cultivation and its fruits, the beloved figs. However, despite its many benefits, it also has certain disadvantages that should be considered before planting it in our garden or home orchard. In this article, we delve exhaustively into all the advantages and disadvantages, basic care, varieties, interesting facts, and potential problems of the fig tree, integrating all the relevant information offered by leading gardening experts and references.

Fig tree overview

• Common name: Fig tree
• Scientific name: ficus carica
• Origin: Mediterranean and Southwest Asia
• Family: moraceae
• Usual height: Between 2 and 10 meters
• Ports: Wider than tall, wide crown
• Fruit: Fig and breva (depending on the variety)

The fig tree stands out for its easy identification: greyish trunk, smooth bark and branches that tend to curve. Its leaves are great, palmate and rough to the touch, deep green on the upper surface and somewhat lighter on the underside. Its root system is powerful, extending into several secondary roots that can reach significant distances from the main trunk.

Advantages of having a fig tree in the garden

• Resistance and adaptation: The fig tree tolerates extreme temperatures well and is ideal for both hot and dry climates and areas with a certain humidity, provided the soil has good drainage. resist droughts prolonged once well established.
• Low maintenance requirements: Does not require intensive care. With occasional pruning and moderate watering is sufficient, making it perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners.
• Production of delicious fruits: Both figs and brevas are tasty, healthy, and versatile in the kitchen. They also provide important nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber.
• Provides shade and ornamental value: Its wide canopy provides shade during the warm season, making it a perfect choice for creating cool, pleasant corners beneath its foliage.
• Longevity and rusticity: It is a long-lived tree that can live for many years without the need for major interventions.
• Medicinal and cultural utility: Since ancient times, the latex and fruits of the fig tree have been used in natural remedies for constipation, mild respiratory ailments, rheumatism, and skin problems.

Additional benefits

• Easy multiplication: It can be propagated by cuttings, layering, grafting or seeds, making it one of the easiest fruit trees to reproduce.
• Adaptable to pot: It can be grown in large pots, making it an ideal choice for patios, terraces, or small gardens.
• Attractive for biodiversity: Its ripe fruits attract birds, which can help maintain the ecological balance of the environment.
• Little competition for water: Although it appreciates irrigation, it can survive with sporadic rainfall and does not compete aggressively with other plants for this resource.

Disadvantages of planting a fig tree in the garden

• Invasive root system: Fig tree roots are known for their strength and spread. If planted near foundations, walls, sidewalks, or pipes, they can cause considerable structural damage. Therefore, it is recommended to plant them at least 10 meters of any construction.
• Generation of organic waste: During autumn and winter, they lose their leaves, and if not harvested in time, the fruits fall to the ground, generating waste that can attract insects and birds, polluting the environment.
• Essential pruning: If not controlled by periodic pruning, branches tend to grow in a disorderly manner and spread excessively, creating an overly large canopy and making access and general maintenance difficult.
• Sticky fruit and spots: Ripe figs release sugars that can stain floors, garden furniture, or vehicles if they fall near them and are not removed quickly.
• Possible skin reactions: Fig latex, the white liquid that oozes when you cut a leaf or branch, is very irritating and can cause dermatitis or phytophotodermatitis in sensitive individuals, especially if exposed to the sun after contact.
• Risk for allergy sufferers: Both the consumption of unripe fruit and contact with latex can cause allergic reactions.
• Pest attraction: Flies, wasps, ants, woodlice, birds and other animals are attracted to ripe fruit, which may require control actions.

Fig varieties and their characteristics

There are many fig tree varieties that adapt to different climates and preferences. The most notable are:

• Single-leaf fig trees: They produce a single crop of figs in late summer.
• Biferous or breve fig trees: They produce two crops: figs in spring and figs at the end of summer. Figs tend to be larger and more popular, although in smaller quantities.
• Popular varieties: 'Banane', 'Brown Turkey', 'San Antonio', 'Colar Elche', 'Blanca Bétera' and 'Cuello Dama Negro' present differences in fruit color, flavor, ripening time and disease resistance.

The choice of variety will depend on the local climate, the amount of space available, and consumption preferences. Not all varieties produce the same fruit in all climates, so it's a good idea to consult a specialized nursery before planting.

What is the difference between a fig and a breva?

The fig and the breva These are two distinct fruits produced by the fig tree, although they are often confused. After the leaves fall in autumn, some aborted fruits remain on the plant through the winter and ripen with the arrival of spring: these are the brevas, larger and less sweet than figs, which ripen in late summer and tend to have a higher concentration of sugars and aromas.

The short-leaf fig trees They produce both crops, while single-fruited figs only. This is important if you're looking for extended production or fruit at different times of the year.

Fig tree care in the garden and in pots

La fig tree It is a low-maintenance specimen, but there are some guidelines that should be followed to ensure its optimal development and good fruit production:

• Light: It requires full exposure to the sun, at least 6 hours a day, to bear fruit properly.
• Temperature: It thrives best in warm climates, withstanding temperatures ranging from sub-zero to intense heat peaks, although the ideal temperature is around 18°C. It should be protected from cold winds and severe frost, especially when young.

• Irrigation: After the first year of planting in the field, the fig tree is very drought-resistant. It only requires regular watering during long periods without rain. Excess water or waterlogging harms the quality of the fruit and the health of the tree.
• Ground: It prefers deep, well-drained, calcium-rich substrates. It tolerates stony and even calcareous soils, but does not tolerate waterlogging.
• Subscriber: It is recommended to fertilize with quality organic matter (manure, compost, humus) in the fall or winter. As a fertilizer, chicken, sheep, or horse manure is especially effective for potted plants.
• Pruning: In the first few years, formative pruning is performed, leaving several main branches that will form the canopy. Subsequently, cleanup pruning at the end of winter is sufficient to remove dead, crossed, or diseased branches and keep the tree's size under control.
• Plantation: The best time to plant is in winter, when the plant is dormant. It's best to protect the seedling with a stake.
• Pot transplant: It should be done every 3 or 4 years, progressively increasing the size of the container and renewing part of the substrate.

Multiplication and reproduction of the fig tree

The fig tree can be multiplied in several ways:

• Seeds: This is an unusual method, as it does not guarantee the quality of the fruit and requires more time to obtain productive specimens.
• Cuttings: It is the simplest technique: just bury a piece of mature branch in moist soil and, in a short time, it will sprout roots.
• Layer: It allows specimens to be reproduced from partially rooted lower branches without initially separating them from the mother plant.
• Graft: It is mainly used to change the variety of an adult tree or to improve resistance in certain types of soil.

Diseases and pests of the fig tree

Although it is a resistant plant, the fig tree can be affected by:

• Fig scale (Ceroplastes rusci): Causes weakening and premature leaf fall. It is combated with pruning and specific products.
• fig fly (Whistling adipata): This pest affects fruit, piercing and rotting it. Damaged fruit should be collected and, if necessary, traps or organic insecticides should be used.
• Fungi: In excessively humid conditions, symptoms of rust, leaf spots, and rot can develop. It is essential to remove diseased leaves and avoid watering the leaves.
• Various pests: Ants, wasps, birds, and spider mites. For birds, scarecrows or protective netting can be used.

Is the fig tree toxic? Precautions for handling

When cutting a leaf or branch from the fig tree, a white latex is released containing furanocoumarins, compounds that can cause irritation, redness, blisters, or spots on the skin if it comes into contact with the skin and the area is subsequently exposed to the sun (phytophotodermatitis). Therefore, it is advisable to wear gloves when pruning or handling the plant, especially if you have a history of sensitive skin or allergies.

Likewise, unripe fruits can cause digestive discomfort when eaten.

Additional uses of the fig tree and its fruits

La fig tree It is not only appreciated for its fresh fruits, but also:

• In the kitchen: Figs can be eaten fresh, dried, in jams, compotes, desserts and salads. They are rich in sugars, fiber, calcium, potassium, B vitamins and antioxidants.
• Medicinally: The latex and leaves are traditionally used in infusions for constipation, as an expectorant, or topically to treat warts. However, it should be used with caution.
• Ornamental: Its size and leafiness make the fig tree an excellent choice for providing shade and decorating gardens or patios.
• Bonsai cultivation: Thanks to its ability to regrow and its adaptability, it is one of the most widely cultivated fruit tree species as bonsai.

Does the fig tree affect buildings?

The main concern When planting a fig tree near a home, it is the development of its root system. Although not all roots have the same destructive power as some myths suggest, It is preferable to leave a minimum distance of 10 meters Regarding foundations, walls, swimming pools, sidewalks, or pipes, to avoid medium- and long-term problems. In small gardens, growing in large pots is recommended to control root development.

Historical and cultural attraction of the fig tree

The fig tree is surrounded by multiple historical, literary and religious references. In the antiquity It was assigned a symbolic value of abundance and fertility. In Egyptian culture, figs were harvested for millennia; in the Bible and other sacred texts, they are a common tree; and in Roman times, figs were synonymous with prosperity and were associated with festivals and traditions.

In the traditional Mediterranean landscape, the fig tree is a tree of encounter, shade, nourishment, and shared stories. Planting a fig tree guarantees not only fruit, but also culture and memories.

With its hardiness, nutritional value, and symbolic value, the fig tree is a beautiful and useful addition to the garden, provided certain care and precautions are taken. Considering its advantages and disadvantages, you can enjoy its fruits and shade without surprises if you choose a suitable location and perform the appropriate maintenance.