All fruit trees certified virus free with a Limited 3 Year Fruit Tree Warranty. Click here for our FREE FRUIT TREE OFFER. All basic pruning requirements completed before delivery.
Brown Turkey Size Options
Pot sizes can vary from year to year, usually because we change suppliers based on who we can bully, guilt, blackmail or plead to give us a better deal.
All of the options we have available now or in the near future will be listed above. Below is a description of the options usually available. Some options are delivered with figs on the plant.
30+cm : Single stem. Usually comes in a 3-5 litre pot and is delivered as 30-90 cm tall.
80+cm: Half Standard/single stem, 4-9L pot, roughly 80-150cm tall, 2-3 years old.
125-150cm: Usually 7-9L pot. Feathered or Half Standard. 2-3 years old.
150-180cm: Usually 9-12L pot.Half Standard, 2-3 years old
180-240cm: Usually 12-15L pot and a Half Standard and 3-4 years old.
(HS)Girth 6-8cm: 140-180 cm tall and Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top, see picture on left) 12-20L pot.
(HS)Girth 8-10cm: 200-240cm tall and Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top, see picture on left)15-25L pot.
(HS)Girth 10-12cm: 240+ tall and Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top, see picture on left)20L-50L pot.
(HS)Girth 12-14cm: 240+cm tall and Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top) 50-70L pot.
(HS)Girth 14-16cm: 240+cm tall, 70-80L Pot. Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top)
(HS)Girth 16-18cm: 240+cm tall, 80-90L pot.Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top)
(HS)Girth 18-20cm: 240+cm tall, 80-110L pot.Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top)
(HS)Girth 25-30cm: 280+cm tall and Half Standard shape (clear stem with a head on top, see picture on left)200-220L pot.
Multi-stem 175-200cm : 50L pot (aprox), Bush/multistem
Multi-stem 200-250cm : 70L pot (aprox), Bush/multistem
Multi-stem 250-300cm : 110L pot (aprox), Bush/multistem
Brown Turkey Fig Tree Options Explained
Bush : The main stems of the fig tree frame work start quite low to the ground and branch out sideways and then up to form an inverted cone shape. Forms an open canopy allowing more light and air in which is a good thing.
Quarter Standard : A single upright stem with side branches. The first branches occur roughly a quarter of the way up the tree. A pleasing ornamental shape.
Half Standard : Very similar to the quarter standard except roughly half of the lower stem is clear of side branches.
Girth: This is a more accurate way of measuring a trees age/maturity..... for those in the tree business. For everyone else, probably not.
Choosing between Brown Turkey Fig Bush and Brown Turkey Fig Tree Quarter and Half Standard
Arguably there are more figs on a bush shape because there are more branches. The figs will be the same on either for most people however the fig forensic puritans could argue that on a microscopic level some of the bush figs would/could/might be slightly superior due to more access to light and air. The main difference between them is mostly aesthetic, some people just prefer a fig tree to have a rounded head of foliage instead of an unruly bush.
Brown Turkey Fig Tree, Our Most Popular Fig Tree
A taste of the Mediterranean attractive garden tree, with its strong branch structure creating an interesting appearance. Figs from this tree are exceptionally tasty brownish-purple fruit, which is produced twice a year, in late spring and again in late summer.
Brown Turkey fig trees could produce fruit the first year depending on the weather, some are even delivered with figs on them already.
Folklore states that the Greeks, the Spartans and athletes included figs as their staple diet, as it increased their strength and swiftness. In fact, in ancient Greece it was forbidden to export figs. During the time of the Roman Empire, in Latin mythology, it was dedicated to Bacchus (Dionysus) the 'jolly god' who was supposed to have gained his vigour from the fig tree. Figs were used in religious ceremonies. In fact, figs were held sacred by the Romans because the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus rested under a Fig tree. Figs were offered as presents during the celebrations of the first day of the year by Romans.
The inhabitants of Cyrene crowned themselves with wreaths of Figs when sacrificing to Saturn, as he was said to have discovered the fruit. The fig was considered an antidote against poison. Much interesting history that will make your Fig tree a worthy addition to your garden.
Expect a final height of between 5m and 7m.
Type of Fig: Eating
Time of Picking: Mid Season
Fertility: Self fertile (will produce fruit without the need for another fig tree nearby of a different species)
We will include a message card included at no additional cost if required.
What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Brown Turkey Fig Trees
Evening Alan. Just after I sent you an email this afternoon, asking if you had any availability on our (Brown Turkey) fig tree,I went outside and found our fig tree half way up our drive! Just standing there. Anyway, thank you very much. It looks very healthy and we shall plant it in its new home tomorrow. 0321
I think you are doing a great job and if anyone complains, they don't deserve the *fig trees. Even though I class trees as an essential item, I understood that in a global pandemic the supply chain and services would be a little slow. It only took 26 days to get my order when usual lead time was 15 days, plus I loved your updates on the website, very informative! I received my tree and it is gorgeous! thanks so much. Good luck over the next few months, keep safe. All the best, Sarah H****r 0620-26517
Hi Alan Just a quick note to say the fig tree has just arrived. Looking good with some new buds appearing. Regards Andy Smith 0121
Good morning, I hope you are well. I thought I'd just email to confirm receipt of the *Brown Turkey fig tree without any issue. We are really pleased with the tree. Thank you for your email on Friday, it was both I formative and out a smile on my face.I hope all goes well for you and your company during these difficult times.Kind regards, Tim 0620-26613
I bought a mature brown turkey fig tree from Trees Online and needed help with a couple of issues. I found their customer service to absolutely fantastic and very personal. There was even room for a good dose of humour in the process, which put a broad smile on my face. I now have a magnificent, tall fig tree making a statement on our roof terrace, and I can’t wait to taste the figs, which it came with and which are rapidly ripening. Thank you so much for excellent service and a fabulous tree. KMB, London. 0919 ...reply from Trees Online. Sorry to hear you have experienced unauthorised humour from the team, we shall downgrade the biscuit budget to non chocolate options as punishment.
Hello, Many thanks for my lovely fig trees. They arrived in perfect condition and I was thrilled to see they are already fruiting. They look beautiful in my new garden. I will happily recommend Trees Online to my friends. Best wishes Sharon 0818
Just a quick note to say thanks for the fantastic fig tree. Best wishes, Helen0818
Thank you for the successful delivery of my fig tree - looks great 0618
Evening Alan, So sorry I haven't been in touch to say: Thank you ever so much for the Fruit trees. They arrived safe and sound. Were planted the next day and look great. Thanks also for the advice and guidance! Genuinely appreciated. We'll be in touch with our next project soon :)Best wishes, Nicki 0118
Dear Senior Dogsbody, The Brown Turkey Fig tree arrived on time and to specification. It is a very healthy looking specimen and has been planted against a south facing wall. I am far too modest to enclose a photo but nevertheless thank you for your excellent service.Regards Chris Chief assistant to the Assistant Chief 0815
Hi Alan, Thank you very much - our Brown Turkey fig has arrived very promptly and we hadn't envisaged having to reach out from an upstairs window to pick the fruit - it's bleedin' enormous! I was in a panic when I went to the back door of the courier's van to see a mass of brown boxes and the tree thrown in horizontally near to top of the pile with a few 'light ones' resting upon it but your carton seems to have done it's job well and the tree seems in great shape even if the carton was feeling a tad crushed...but it still kept the cats amused for hours! Nick Bubb. 0615
Hi - a good-sized (Brown Turkey fig) tree was promptly delivered and the recipient was really pleased. It's already planted and late Spring will hopefully see it begin to come into its own. What a great alternative as a gift, which this is, to cut flowers which are gone and forgotten after a few days. I've already put a claim in for a sample of the first fig crop. Thanks for great service. Cheryl. 0315
Hi Alan, The Brown Turkey Fig trees arrived today. They are tall and look happy in their vertical coffins. I hope they will bring us many years of fig lovin'.Thank you for your great service, and outstanding sense of humour. Regards, Paul Harding 1114
Many thanks for your email. We would like to express our delight upon receiving the gorgeous fig tree purchased from Trees-Online. It arrived in superb condition, no doubt due to the excellent coffin-like packing, (which is quite apt because we live in a converted Baptist Church) nor can we fault the delivery company who arrived early in the morning and carried it carefully down the drive depositing it by the greenhouse, then knocked to get a signature. The tree is in excellent condition, strong and vigorous with small figlets already appearing. We were impressed to find all the information that we need to know about caring for our fig tree on your website. Many thanks for such an excellent service. Kind regards Sue and John Richardson 0314
Hi Trees Online, i am just replying to ur email , i would like to say that the Fig tree arrived on date given ,it arrived as it was packed (nicely packed ) courier tufnells very obligeing and helpfull, very pleased with the tree. Mr P. Young 0314
Dear Alan, 'Figgy' the fig tree (Brown Turkey) has arrived safe and well in its extraordinarily sized box. It looks wonderful, thank you, and will be going outside very shortly. We shall certainly be returning to Trees Online to add to our collection. Kindest regards, Ed O'Grady 0314
I would highly recommend ordering from trees online! Communication was excellent, and we received a very high quality healthy tree in a very good delivery time!Miss K Wood 1013
Just to say a big thank you for our Brown Turkey fig tree order - no complaints about trees or delivery. All excellent in, fact I have just ordered another Bramley, keep up the good work! Regards Jan Batchelor 0913
Thank you so much for the Browtn Turkey Fig tree and Wisteria - both presents for my sister in law and Mother in law. They took a little while to arrive (approx 8 days) so did not arrive for the birthday party as planned, but they were both impressed by the quality of tree / plant - which is the main thing! My Mother in law commented that it was beautifully packaged too - thank you! Kind regards Rachel Avent
Hello fig tree arrived on time, well packaged and in great condition. Thank you. C. Vibrans 0912
*Added for transparency and clarity.
Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at POLLINATION EXPLAINED or choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Fruit Tree Heights
Taller does not mean more value for money. A 1 year old fruit tree can easily be substantially higher than a 2 year old, this is because they are hard pruned at 1 year old to create the desired shape. Some trees have over 100cm of height removed. They can then have another pruning at 2 years old to increase fruit growing real estate. Most fruit trees will benefit from having a third to half of the seasons new growth cut back in the Autumn to prevent long whippy branches which break easily. Age and pruning completed determine real value.
Fig Tree Appearance On Arrival
We experience the same issues on the nursery as you will at home. Caterpillars and fig tree rust are two common issues. Manual removal or spraying with an insecticide is one option and a natural remedy is soapy water which doesn't kill them.
Brown marks on the leaves are nothing to worry about, this is when wet and warm conditions exist. It is purely an aesthetic issue and you will see it regularly. Water the roots, not the leaves and try to keep moisture levels down in the garden e.g. short grass. Prune to allow as much air and light into the canopy as possible. New growth coming through that doesn't have any marks also tells you the tree is fine.
Fig Tree Notching
This is a technique used to promote new side branching. Useful if you want more growing "real estate" or if you want to change the look of your fig tree. Cut a small notch above a dormant bud and ensure you get through to the white wood. Search Youtube for "fig tree notching" or "fruit tree notching" for a far better explanation.
Fig Tree Planting
Most fig trees thrive better in a sheltered but full sun position i.e. facing South or South West. For larger crops of figs, contain the roots because if allowed to grow uncontrolled, the tree will do a "Prescott" (Put all efforts into getting bigger). Fig tree roots are known to be wanderers and can travel quite a distance. Keep in a 45cm (18 inch pot) or more, which can also be buried for a conventional look. Do not fill with soil, leave at least 10 cm (4 inches) for compost which will be required every year or other form of feeding.
You can vary the size of the pot or other root restriction e.g a hole surrounded with buried paving slabs and broken brick on the bottom, the rule of thumb is the smaller the pot or confined area, the smaller the tree will be but pruning can also be used to restrict final size. We put ours in 80 litres containers and may take them up to 150-200 depending on their progress.
No need to worry so much about soil quality, Fig trees will thrive in most conditions, especially chalky. For legal reasons we should point out that a nuclear winter, meteorite strike and agent orange do not come under "most conditions".
White Marsaille, Bayernfeige Violetta, Ice Crystal and Brown Turkey are best for outdoor growing, most others would benefit from some form of shelter.
Planting Fig Trees Near Brick Or Concrete Walls
Generally this can be a good thing as they retain the heat in the soil which figs like. Be aware that brick and concrete walls can leach calcium into the ground making the soil more alkaline. Figs will grow in most soils but prefer a range of 6.0 to 8.0 PH, so If your fig is not performing as expected, check the soil PH. The warmth from the wall dries the soil out quicker so make sure your watering takes that into account.
Fig Tree Root Stock
Fig trees are one of the few fruit trees we sell that are not grafted (grown as Mother Nature intended)
Preserving Figs
If don't have enough friends to give them away to then try preserving figs in the drying cupboard. Rotate them daily and in 6-8 weeks you will have dried figs and possibly a lot of wet washing.
Not Sure Which Fig To Buy Online
Go for the Brown Turkey. Very popular and particularly suitable for UK climate.
Fig Tree Aftercare
As with all other restricted root growth or containerised trees, ensure you water regularly, especially in summer when 3 times a week in very warm weather maybe required. If potted, the smaller the pot, the quicker it will dry out. Although fig trees can cope with drought, it will cause the figs to drop prematurely and too much water will cause the fruits to split. As a guide, if the top 4-6 inches of soil are dry then time to water. Little and often in the mornings or evenings is easier and better than a lot in one go however we all have a life so don't loose any sleep over it. A mulch will reduce evaporation and therefore the need to water as much. We are experimenting by growing Red Clover at the base of our containerised trees. They are a green manure and should reduce the need for watering.
If the Fig tree is young, in a container or struggling e.g. leaves not so healthy, fruit production poor, our of breath when it climbs the stairs, then feed with compost/well rotted manure or fertiliser. In very early Spring you want to feed with high Nitrogen for the foliage. When the fruits start to show use one high in Phosphorous and feed again as the fruits start to ripen. Feed as per instructions or around every 2 weeks.
Some Figs are hardy down to -10 centigrade but the tips are vulnerable to frost and this is where the fruits will be made. If you live in a particularly harsh frost area or your potted Fig tree is the equivalent to Wilson the ball from Castaway and you take it on Polar expeditions with you then you might want to wrap it in fleece if planted during the frost season or move to a warmer environment if potted e.g. greenhouse or conservatory, even a shed or garage.
Fig Tree Pruning
Be wary of the white sap when pruning as it can be a skin irritant. If your fig tree is looking a little sorry for itself, hard prune and leave, it will produce new growth and recover. Try not to take more than 25% off if possible.
The best time to prune a fig tree is in Spring although removing dead or diseased branches can be done at any time. Cut out any branches that are crossing with others.
In early summer, shorten the new growth to 5-6 leaves to encourage new tips formation which increases fruit yield.
You can train your tree as a fan shape or as a standard "lollipop" shape.
When pruning your fig tree, aim for an open crown. This is when you allow the light and air into the centre of the fig tree. If you are going to remove a branch, ensure you leave a 2 inch or 5 cm stub.
Fig Tree Fruits
When the fruits start to appear, cover with a net to deter birds. The fruits are ready when they start to droop on the stalk with well coloured skin or the skin cracks.
In very warm climates and some greenhouses depending on location, you get up to three flushes of fruits.
Only the small embryonic fruits forming on last years growth will turn in to ripe fruits. A second embryonic crop may appear later in the summer and these are very unlikely to mature in UK so pick them off.
Green unripe Figs will not mature after they have been picked unlike some other fruits but those picked just before full ripeness will become sweeter when stored in a dry location.
Figs Not Ripening
This can be maddening and causes can be wide and varied. Stress is a leading cause of non ripening fruit and lack of water in high heat conditions will cause that. It seems one cold spring snap can also check fruit production long enough for a normal Summer to be too short and in extreme cases, it will drop the fruit. Other causes include lack of sunlight, too much/too little nitrogen, insect infestation and disease.
General Fig Tree Information
If you do not know what type of fig tree you have, give it a sunny and sheltered spot. If you have one of the hardy varieties e.g. White Marsailles, Brown Turkey, Ice Crystal and Bayernfeige then a sunny spot will do. If containerised, bring it into a greenhouse, conservatory or other protected environment (armoured vehicle?) during Winter. Planting close to a south facing wall will help but fan training it against a south facing wall will be even better.
Most fig trees can spread up to 3m if left to grow unchecked.
All cuttings will grow into female trees and bear fruit.
Figs are apparently good for treating warts!
Figs can be used as a laxative and are good for diabetics as they are high in sugar.
It is thought figs originated from Asia.
A maintained fig tree can crop for centuries if looked after.
