Fig Tree Longue d'Août - Ficus carica

The 'Longue d'Août' Fig (Ficus carica) is a productive variety, with good resistance to winter frosts. It produces large elongated fruits with greenish-yellow skin turning reddish-brown, and a soft and fragrant flesh. This variety, sometimes called the Banana Fig or Jerusalem Fig, is self-fertile. It is biferous, meaning it bears fruit twice a year, starting in early July and then again towards the end of August. The Fig Tree is a deciduous, hardy tree that thrives in sunny conditions. Plant it in autumn or winter, when frost-free (or in spring for colder regions).

The 'Longue d'Août' Fig produces large elongated fruits with greenish-yellow skin turning reddish-brown, and a soft and fragrant flesh. Figs are used in sweet dishes (pies, clafoutis, compotes) or savoury dishes paired with goat cheese, dry-cured ham, or foie gras. After harvesting, it is not recommended to store them in the refrigerator as it alters the figs' aroma and the skin may suffer from humidity and condensation. The best way to enjoy them is fresh, straight from the tree, which preserves their honey-like fragrance.

Among the varieties of Fig Trees, there are:

- uniferal varieties, which produce a single harvest per year, usually abundant, in early autumn

- biferous varieties, which bear fruit twice a year, producing figs called 'flower figs' in early summer, appearing on the previous year's wood, and autumn figs, developing on the current year's branches.

The 'Longue d'Août' Fig variety is biferous, bearing fruit from early July and then towards the end of August. The harvest should be done in several stages, as the figs ripen. This variety is self-fertile and parthenocarpic, meaning it can produce fruit without fertilisation. It does not require other fig trees and does not rely on the blastophage, the only pollinating insect of the fig tree, which is too sensitive to survive in cold climates.

Originating from Turkey and Asia Minor, the Fig Tree (Ficus carica) belongs to the Moraceae family. It is a small, vigorous deciduous tree with a rounded and erect habit, often having a twisted trunk, reaching 3 to 5 metres (10 to 16 feet) in all directions. The leaves are rough, bright green turning yellow in autumn, finely velvety, relatively large (sometimes 20 cm (8in) long), and have a long petiole. The lamina is deeply divided into three to seven crenate lobes (usually five) of variable shape, with a velvety underside and prominent veins. The wood is soft and spongy, the bark is grey and smooth. The root system of this small tree is powerful, spreading in all directions. The Fig Tree is often considered one of the most beautiful fruit trees. Its unique foliage gives it an ornamental aspect and provides a pleasant shaded area, especially during summer heatwaves. Plant the Fig Tree sheltered by a wall, which will protect it from cold during harsh winters, with a south or southwest exposure, alongside Fruiting Pomegranate, White Mulberry, and Japanese Medlar in southern Europe. In the north, it can be paired with Quince, Akebia quinata, and Feijoa, which are also hardy and exotic. Consider its mature dimensions when determining the planting distance. Although the roots do not cause damage to modern structures, they can cause damage to dry stone walls or walls built with weak mortars, in the traditional way.