I don't know what type it is but thats a nice tree :)

If the fig tree does not mature a crop at all, then it is of the "Smyrna" classification, and requires Blastophaga Psenes fig wasps to induce ripening of the fig crop (example Calimyrna aka Sari Lop). If the fig matures the breba (early) crop, but does not mature the main crop in the absence of the fig wasp, then the fig is of the "San Pedro" classification. Caprifig trees will also produce inedible figs. If no figs mature this year, then probably you have a "Smyrna" fig tree. The tree is pretty enough to maintain as an ornamental, but if your space is limited, once you are sure that it will not mature figs, you might consider replacing it with a productive variety.

It'll take a while to replace that tree with one equally stout. Looks like a good place for a grafting job.
Ox

Excellent idea Ox, the trunk would be great for that.
-jbs

Thank you all for your input. I'm only now trying to develop my green thumb, so although your advice sounds great, I'll probably have to seek local help in trying to graft. Sounds like surgery! I'd hate to kill this tree.

My yard is too small to leave the tree if it won't produce edible fruit. A local nursery told me I could plant a black mission with it (literally right next to it), and they'd do well together, so I was considering that.

Any comments on a "co-located" fig trees?

Did the tree produce figs this spring on last year's growth (prior to or at the same time new leaf growth started)? This is an important factor. All the figs in the picture appear to be on this year's growth. Quite a few fig varieties produce two crops (an earlier crop on previous year's wood and a later crop on the current year's growth). As Mountainman pointed out, the San Pedro type of fig will ripen the earlier crop but the later crop drops without ripening (this all assumes the fig wasp is not present - which I believe is the case in Phoenix). If the tree turns out to be a Smyrna type (needing the wasp to ripen both crops) you will never get a ripe fig from the tree.

The nursery guy was just trying to sell you a tree. I wouldn't make any change until absolutely certain the tree will not ripen figs. If you have room for a second tree, you could add one (probably best in the fall or late winter), but that's completely separate from the issue of whether your tree will ripen figs. It seems odd that someone would plant a Smyrna type tree or a caprifig variety (neither of which would produce edible figs), but I guess it's possible. However, I would thoroughly investigate alternative explanations before giving up on the tree.

As far as identifying the type of your fig...this is virtually impossible without seeing a ripe fig (in addition fo the leaf shape), and even then it might not be clear which variety it is.

You asked about color of ripe figs. There are literally hundreds of varieties of figs, and when ripe the figs can be from grass green to virtually black and all variations of green, yellow, violet, red, brown, etc., etc. etc. They can be from the size of a quarter to the size of a tennis ball.

Figs are extremely hardy, and here you can learn (or be pointed in the right direction to learn) just about anything about figs - including grafting.

Good luck.

Henry

Your Fig have leaves similar to Alma fig.
Yet if it won't have good ripe fig,it is not.

Several observations and comments deserve merit.
Your tree presents with different variations of leaves as does all fig trees. However, Herman made a good guess at Alma. Some of the leaves are 3-lobed and others are the "duck feet" leaves which you can see with Alma, Kadota,
Italian Honey (depending on the source), and LSU Gold. I'm familiar with this because a good friend from Texas sent me a photo of the "duck foot" leaf from 3 different varieties:
LSU Gold, White Texas Everbearing (aka Kadota), and Alma.
They were virtually indistinguishable.
I doubt you have a smyrna fig. The owner of the house either purchased the fig from a local nursery or one on-line. It's pretty hard to buy a smyrna-type fig tree through commercial venues unless you're in California.
Is there a good water source to the tree? Phoenix can get pretty hot and if stressed out, a young tree can drop it's figs.
Contact the Baker's Nursery in Phoenix. They can give some good advice on fig trees and they often carry a good variety of the ones that will do well in your area. There is a little critter in your area called the dried-citrus beetle. It's tiny enough to crawl into the ostiole of the figs and sour them bad. The Baker's nursery has a fig tree there which they propagate from. They call it the Baker's Fig. It's a Conadria-type fig which has been in the nursery for years. It's got a big ostiole and therefore prone to the dried-citrus beetle.
You have a beautiful fig tree. Wait it out this season and see how the figs do. Make sure it gets enough water. Have a backup tree if this one continues to produce duds.

I'm not an expert, but I remember hearing that if there's not enough calcium the figs wont ripen. You can get CaSO4 pellets and water them in or mix a 5-10-10 or similar fertilizer with milk. An organic mulch might help your sandy soil hold nutrients. Spread it over the entire dripline, not just in that small rock circle. You'll have to do it repeatedly throughout the season. Let us know if that works!

It looks like a caprifig to me. I brought back a cutting back from Mykanos (A Greek Island) in 1995. Figs will never mature. You can graft several different cultivars onto that tree

which appears to me to have a very good root system. It does not appear to need any nutrients.

Hanc

Hanc:
Good to see you back!
Your Atreano is an awsome fig.
Leon

Thank you all for your posts. The information is very helpful.

I suppose my next post will be on grafting! I don't know a thing about grafting, but I do want to keep the tree AND I do want figs we can eat!

Does anyone know if a black mission graft would take to a caprifig? I've heard black mission figs do well here in Phoenix--but I 'm open to suggestions...

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write,

qwerty

Hi,
I have a similar situation (inedible figs).
The tree looks excellent, is in perfect shape/health/vigor as far as I can determine, but the leaves/fruit seem quite different from the photo above.
I have lots of very ripe fruit now that falls off on touch, is quite large, color changes from a light yellowish green when immature to light purple from the stem 3/4 way down, with some green at the tip, is full of pollen stems, and dry/paper-like in texture and tasteless.
The leaves are large and deeply serrated (I don't know how to upload a photo).
I am quite sure this was a cutting from a neighbor's fig tree which has very sweet, greenish/yellowish striped fruit. Hard to believe it comes out so different.
I also have a mission fig nearby in my garden, this tree has had serious troubles last year (gopher damage?), and this spring I only had a few fruits, first time so few; most have fallen off very early.
I did set nicely for the 2nd crop though.
Any analysis/recommendation (should I just chop the mystery tree down?) is greatly appreciated.

I did upload a photo under "name that plant" "inedible fig"

Here is a link that might be useful: inedible figs

Have you tried contacting the house's previous owner?

~james

James - if the question is for me, df1sp: I planted that tree.

We have a similar situation--figs get nice and soft, but they don't sweeten up and are filled with what I can only describe as pollen. If you figure out what yours is, we'd love to know!

Anyone have any thoughts on ours? Pic is attached.

We're in the Bay Area, for what it's worth. Our figs seem to be only on older growth (we cut one side of the tree back dramatically last winter and that's been fruitless).

Here is a link that might be useful: Our figs