The fig is likely a variety that requires caprification (pollination by a tiny fig wasp) in order for the fruit to mature. However, some fig varieties are susceptible to drought and will drop fruit under excessively hot, dry conditions. Fertilize the tree this coming spring and keep it watered (but not over-watered) during the growing season. Then, if it does not produce, and fruit is important to you, remove the tree and replace it with a variety that is proven in your area.

Does the tree get Plenty of Sun?

If my recollections are correct, ACT gets very hot in summer. Above 33* centigrade most of the time. If that is the case mountainman0826 advise would be appropriate. Probably your best bet is to find out what the common neighbourhood fig variety is.

The tree is in a sunny spot. Summers have been pretty cool lately with ~25-35C days (it is the middle of summer where we are now), with some decent rain of late. However we did have a very dry winter and spring.

I have not been watering the poor thing as we've been having water restrictions and I figured it should be a hardy thing with no common pests. It has always beared fruit every year but they never mature.

Could be the variety, I'll investigate that when I have the time. thanks for the advice everyone:)

My first instinct when you posted was maybe your not picking them fast enough. You probably have a green or yellow variety, not a dark variety and maybe your letting them shrivel up on the tree then drop? Maybe when they feel soft or start to nod or droop on the branches, pick them, they are good then. I've had figs look like those when they fell when I didn't harvest them. I wondered when you said they are not ripening. Just looked like a light variety to me. Are you thinking they will become dark as a sign of ripeness? Ciao

I agree with italiangirl. Have you ever tried one of the "unripe" figs?

Yes I did think about that. In the past 3 years they became yellow and soft, and when I did break the fruit to see what's inside it was very raw. My husband is greek and said that it's not ripe (he's not aware of the yellow variety, but I'm sure he could identify the insides and the smell).

Only this year some figs became a bit purple (others had a bit of yellow colour) and soft, but the insides of the fruit was still white and smooth.

I suppose the pic does not show an obvious problem. I thought maybe something has been eating my fig from the 'cuts' on the fruit?

Weeddummie,your fig problem sounds like my first fig tree. The figs got the size of a walnut. It would become rubbery and fall off the tree. I would ask friends that had fig trees about my problem. They would say you are not watering it enough, or its not getting enough sun. After seven years of not getting any figs I gave a friend a rooted cutting from this fig tree. After another two years my frind had the same problem I did with the rooted cutting I gave him. I ended cutting that fig tree down and got other fig trees that will produce in my area. I recommend you stop wasteing your time with that fig tree. Cut down that tree and start over with a better variety for your area.

Vern

You Have got a cauducous fig and it will never produce figs without polination,wasp ,Caprifig etc.
Like Vern said :Get rid of it if you want fruits,and get a fig that do not need polination to set fruits.
This is what happen when people grow figs from seeds of fruits bought in the Supermarket.
That is why I insist,do not do it.
Here now and then some people ask on the Forum.Can i grow a fig from seeds.
Answer:Yes you can Grow an Ornamental fig from seeds but not a fruitting fig.
Then They Reply:Well,I understand ,but I will try anyway.
This is how some Hardheads create the problem you got today.
One can grow 200 so called figs out of one fruit and sell it to 200 inocent people like you,that will take care of it for many years with out any satisfaction in return.
I hope this will HELP,to make up your mind,because the sooner you do the Better for you.!!!

Hi
Do you feed the tree with phosphates? All the books say that they need to be fed with potash in the spring and the autumn