Just curious, outside of the sentimental issue of starting a BT from your grandmother's 70 year old tree, why would you want to buy one? The discussions on this list have led me to believe the BT is an average tasting fig and there are so many better varieties out there. I've not tried a BT so I'm not speaking from experience just what I've read.

I would definitely start a BT from her tree. I would also air-layer a larger branch. I air-layered a tree last summer (my first time) and in Dec when I cut it from the mother tree I had an instant 4' tree.

Sue

I would email the owner of Encanto farms (link below). Though, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want a 5 foot tall fig? Such a large fig will cost quite a bit in shipping alone.

~Chills

Here is a link that might be useful: Encanto farms

Well I can definitely recommend Willis Orchard Company as I have had very good results buying from them. I tend to buy from an online or mail order retailer when I canÂt find what IÂm looking for locally. Buying local I can pick out what IÂm buying and get it at a better price and save the cost of shipping. Have you called around to the local plant/tree nurseries in your area to see if they have what you are looking for?

SVANESSA - I actually prefer Brown Turkey figs to others I have tried. My mother swears by the "white" figs but I enjoy the purple varieties and these particularly but if you have a favorite that is hearty enough to survive a Philadelphia winter let me know.

CHILLS - Actually, a 5' tree with branches from Willis is only $60 plus $14 shipping so they really have great prices. I want a 5 footer so I can have more foot faster.

I love BT. They are productive, nice colour, good size, good taste, quite resistant, what else do we want.
Good luck

***** only deficiency is leaf size, leaf is not big enough for a nude gardener:-)

Me too. Some others actually taste too sweet to me but it's all opinion. I'll have to post a pic of my grandmothers tree. It's probably close to 80 years old now. They stopped wrapping it for the winter (Philadelphia area) about 15 years ago and it has always survived. I guess they get to the point where they're strong enough. You should see the trunk on this thing. It's probably a 12-15" wide.

I have used willis orchard before. I was very happy with the trees I have received. I bought a peters honey and a desert king from them. Both are nice trees.

Lowes in Philly is now carrying small fig trees. There is a nursery in Philadelphia called Bisiri Pansy House ( Bisirri Pansy Gardens 4600 Emerson Street - Philadelphia, PA. 215-333-6755) which sells larger fig trees cheap. Primex Nursery in Glenside sells figs trees which are a bit more expensive but their stuff is top notch.

Hi Tuscanseed,

could you tell me where that Lowes is located in Philly?...I get around for work and would love to go see what they have.

Thanks,
Richard

Hi Fishacura:If you think that another Brown Turkey will taste the same to your Grandmother tree,you are dreaming!!!.
Brown Turkey is a Generic name and there are at least a hundred,different cultivars with this name.
So your best bet is :Take a cutting off your grandmother tree and only then you will have an identical,cultivar,with same good taste.
Hope this will help you.

Not dreaming at all actually. The last one I purchased had a very similar taste (not quite as sweet). I think many of you out here either have way more develped taste buds or are simply enthusiasts and/or farmers. Some of us simply enjoy a good fig picked off the tree and really don't get too concerned about what we see as very minimal differences. I'm not faulting anyone for feeling that way (I am passionate about wines and someone else my enjoy wine from a box)....but just wanted you to know I have been very happy about every tree I have bought.

Not Me :My first Brown Turkey i bought,was souring very very bad.Also it had a deasese,in that the last 6 inches of wood will have a fungus on them,that carry to fruits later.
The second one i bought was ,insipid to taste.
The third one ,was splitting before ripe,very bad.
I gave up,and i bought a Celeste.
The first one was dropping the fruits before ripe.
The second one was larger,but will split and sour before ripe.
All these came from large chain stores.
Then I discarded evrything and bought a new fig,a Hardy Chicago ,from a reputable Nursery.
One year later my luck changed and i had my first,decent,good tasting fruits,that behave Normally.
i STILL HAVE IT,BUT NOW i AQUIRED A LOT MORE CULTIVARS BY TRADING MY Good fig Hardy Chicago.
I have a lot more cultivars now but I still select them,and keep only the superior ones.I should pinpoint that I lost a lot of time (Years)growing the bad figs,and that is what one should avoid by Buying good cultivars from the start.
Happy Gardening

Herman, et al: I had a Brown Turkey fig last year from a Monrovia Nursery tree which was at Cinnamonson Nursery. I won't say it is one of my favorite figs, but it was the best tasting BT I've ever had with very good fig flavor. I have not had a BT in Texas that I would say has been anywhere near as good as that one. I don't know if the difference is the environment or the tree itself. I had thought about transporting it to Houston to test the difference, but it is too big to take on the plane.

Fishacura: this is the size they had last year for about $60:

~james