Ficus carica

The fig tree is very familiar in the Israeli landscape. It is one of the biblical Seven Species of the Land of Israel, and it is the milk referred to in “a land flowing with milk and honey.” From the dawn of history, the fig tree has been very common in Israel as a fruit tree for food. Indeed, it is first worth noting its sweet fruit, loved by humans, birds and other sundry animals in nature. Some contend it was the fig that was the first species that humans propagated to eat, the first form of agriculture. There are many cultivars of Ficus carica today that are differentiated by their shape, size, fruit, ripening season etc. We at the nursery grow white figs and purple Cyprus figs. The tree is unisexual, meaning there are both male and female trees, but you can also find specimens that are both male and female.

The fig tree’s trunk is smooth and very short, and it has a round and broad crown. The tree’s leaves are broad and have 3 or 5 large lobes. The leaves’ veins are prominent on the tops of the leaves and textured on the bottom. It is very resistant to the heat and cold conditions typical of the Middle Eastern climate and can also withstand periods of drought. The tree is long-lived, and specimens that are over 100 years old can be found. The tree’s roots are invasive, and it is not recommended for planting in the immediate vicinity of buildings or sewage systems, as is formal for a tree from the ficus family. The roots always prefer to go deeper to find groundwater. The tree creates a lot of shade and cools its surroundings for the benefit of animals that find shelter beneath it in times of intense heat. It is an important part of the ecological system in our area and is an important food source for many birds and animals, which contribute to the spread of the seeds. The tree’s sap can irritate human skin. The fig is considered to be a vulnerable tree. Its eternal nemesis is Batocera rufomaculata. These beetles have a tendency to harm mainly the root crown area of the tree and the main trunk, and within a few days can seriously damage and even eliminate a mature tree. Therefore, one needs to always be on the lookout for this pest. We recommend refraining from aggressive pruning of the branches in the tree’s maturity, as the fig tree is sensitive to decomposition and to penetration from secondary pests. These tendencies are common in adult trees that have suffered breaks/tearing or aggressive pruning that left wounds with a large surface area. This can be avoided by proper designing in the tree’s early years.

Additional trees from the same family:
Ficus benjamina | Ficus microcarpa | Ficus sycomorus | Ficus carica | Ficus rubiginosa | Ficus macrophylla (magnolioides) | Ficus binnendijkii | Ficus religiosa | Ficus benghalensis | Ficus palmata | Ficus barteri Sprague | Ficus lyrata