Tena Fig Tree
The Tena fig tree has been around since the mid-70s when the great fig breeder Dr. Ira Condit first released it. It’s proven reliable and very productive all along the west coast, though only recently has it been widely planted around the Northwest. Figs have a greenish yellow skin and an amber or light strawberry colored flesh. The very tight eye on the fig helps prevent spoilage and crops are very heavy. Flavor is best when grown in warm climates.
One of the easiest fruits to grow, and a true gourmet delight, you should not live your life without feasting on this sweet, delectable fruit. To fully enjoy fresh Figs you must grow your own. When fully ripe and at their tender, shipping them long distances is virtually impossible. Another plus for Figs – deer don’t like them (most of the time)!
Click here to read our Fig Growing Guide.
Latin Name: Ficus carica
Site and Soil: Figs do well in a variety of soils, but require at least 8 hours of sunlight during the growing season.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fruitful
Hardiness: Hardy to between 0° & 5° F.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 8-12 ft in height, smaller with pruning.
Taste: Sweet
Fruit Skin: Greenish yellow
Fruit Flesh: Amber to light strawberry red
Bloom Time: Flowers are not noticeable as they are inside the fig.
Ripening Time: early August-October
Yield: 10-15 lbs. or more per plant
Pests & Diseases: Figs are not bothered by pests in our region. Cover plants with netting if birds are a problem.
Fig Mosaic Virus is a benign virus that exists in all cultivated fig trees. Yellow spotting of the leaves is a cosmetic symptom that shows more in container culture, but is quickly outgrown once trees are planted in the ground. The presence of FMV in all cultivated figs has become widely accepted, as even the national germplasm repository for figs maintained by the USDA has Fig Mosaic Virus. If the presence of FMV is a concern, then purchasing fig trees may not be the best option for you.
USDA Zone: 7