Figs are one of the oldest cultivated fruits. You can eat this fruit fresh, canned, dry, or make delicious jams with it. This versatile fruit grows on trees, typically in warmer areas, particularly Mediterranean-like climates. Naturally, some of the biggest fig producers are Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, and Spain.
Even though figs have been cultivated for thousands of years, they can be mysterious to the untrained eye. Whether there’s a tree that caught your attention and you want to know if it is a fig tree, you stumbled upon an unfamiliar fruit at the market, or are simply curious about how to identify figs, this article will help. Read to the end to know what figs look like.
How to Identify a Fig Tree?
First things first, let’s start with how to identify whether a tree is a fig tree.
While it can be difficult to the untrained eye, fig trees are actually surprisingly easy to tell, especially when they are fruiting. Fig trees typically have a spreading shape, even when they are very young. They have thick, twisting branches with smooth bark, though they can have a rugged appearance as they age.
Fig trees can grow up to 30 feet tall, depending on the exact variety. Given that they also have a spreading shape, they appear very large. Due to space limitations, most gardeners choose to prune their fig trees regularly to keep them at a manageable size. There are also smaller varieties that grow less than ten feet tall, which makes them great indoor fig trees; you can find them in specialty online shops.
Many trees can have these characteristics, but what sets fig trees apart is their big, deeply lobed leaves. The leaves of fig trees are usually about five to six inches wide; some varieties can have leaves up to ten inches wide. Regardless of the size of the leaves (and the type of fig tree), they tend to have three to five lobes. As for the texture of the leaves, they are quite rough to the touch. When you crush a fig leaf, it releases a strong, earthy smell.
Last but not least, one unique trait of fig trees is the milky white sap they produce when leaves or fruit stems are broken. If you’re unsure about whether a tree is a fig tree, this can help you tell it apart for good.
What Does a Fig Look Like When It Starts to Grow
One way to tell if a tree is a fig tree or identify fig trees in general is by looking at the fruit when it’s growing. When a fig first starts to grow, it appears as a small green bud coming out from the base of the leaf. They are very firm and have a smooth texture at this stage.
As the bud starts growing, it becomes bigger, and the outer skin changes in color. While most figs turn to a darker color, it ultimately comes down to the variety. The change in color doesn’t indicate that the fig is ripe, however. Figs continue to develop their sweetness and color even if the green completely disappears.
What Does a Fig Look Like When Ripe? – How to Tell if a Fig Is Ripe
All this brings us to figs when they are ripe, which is easy to tell if you know what to look for in the fruit.
First and foremost, ripe figs have a deep color. When ripe, darker varieties have a purple to nearly black color. Ripe figs also appear soft and are squishy to the touch, but not mushy. If a fig is mushy, it can indicate that it is rotten inside.
Before picking it, hold the fig and see its weight. A ripe fig will feel heavy, with a slight bend where it attaches to the tree. If you can’t touch the figs, a good way to tell other than color is the cracks in the skin. Once a fig becomes ripe, it will likely have a few small cracks in the skin. Big ripe figs even tend to drop a small amount of nectar at the bottom, indicating that they are ready to be consumed.
Add a Fig Tree to Your Garden
Fig trees are one of the most visually pleasing and productive trees that appear majestic with their spreading shape. Whether you want a tree to plant in your backyard or are looking for something smaller to have on your patio, you will find countless fig tree varieties.
As long as you live in a climate where a fig tree can thrive, it is never too late to plant one. They start fruiting as early as two years, meaning you will have more than a basket full of figs in your tree’s very first fig season.
