Figs are another surprise in Appalachia. One hears over and over the surprised exclamation “Those grow around here?!” Yes, and they grow very well!
The plants and the immature fruit magnificently resist pressure from birds and browsing deer. The unripe fruit and the leaves are filled with a bitter, latex-rubber compound (much like milk weed). But this disappears as the fruit ripens. Fruit can be picked a day ahead of peak ripeness and left to ripen overnight on the counter, and then refrigerated (if kept dry) for the next couple of weeks.
Fig Trees at the AFFN Orchard – last updated November 2025:
- Ficus carica – Brown Turkey
- Ficus carica – Chicago Hardy
- Ficus carica – Chios Yellow
- Ficus carica – Florea
- Ficus carica – LSU Purple
- Ficus carica – Magnolia
- Ficus carica – Malta Black
- Ficus carica – Olympian
- Ficus carica – Ronde de Bordeaux
- Ficus carica – Rubado
- Ficus carica – Teramo
- Ficus carica – Violette de Bordeaux
- Ficus carica – White Marsala Fig Tree
- Ficus carica – White Triana
Following Fig plants could not yet be aquired: