Fig Tree Osborn's Prolific - Ficus carica

The Ficus carica Osborn Prolific is an early English fig variety, well adapted to cooler and more humid climates, whose fruits do not require long hot and sunny summers to ripen. It is a fast-fruiting fig tree, which sometimes produces a few fig flowers in July, depending on the climate, but mainly offers an abundant, regular, and high-quality harvest from the end of summer onwards. Its small brown figs with a pink flesh of sweet and rich uare highly appreciated for fresh consumption.

The Osborn Prolific Fig tree forms a spreading tree that reaches about 6m (20ft) in height and 4m (13ft) in spread within 10-12 years. It has good frost resistance, down to around -15°C. It is a bifere variety, producing fig flowers in April on one-year-old branches, reaching maturity in July, and then true fruits on the current year's shoots, which are harvested in September-October. Its figs are rounded, medium to small-sized (50 grams), and have a bronze-violet to golden-brown colour. Figs are used in sweet dishes (pies, clafoutis, compotes...) or savory dishes paired with goat cheese, dry-cured ham, or foie gras. After harvesting, refrigeration is not recommended as it alters the fig's flavours and the skin can suffer from humidity and condensation. The best way to consume them is fresh, preferably under the tree, to fully enjoy their honey-like fragrance. Harvesting should be done multiple times as the figs ripen.

Originating from Turkey and Asia Minor, the Fig tree (Ficus carica) belongs to the Moraceae family. It is a deciduous small tree with a often twisted trunk and a greyish colour. 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 lobes with crenate edges (most often five) of variable shape, with a velvety underside and prominent veins. The wood is soft and spongy, the bark grey and smooth. The root system of this small tree is powerful and spreads 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 hot summers. Plant the Fig tree sheltered by a wall that will protect it from the cold during harsh winters, with a south or southwest exposure, in the company of Pomegranate trees, White Mulberry trees, and Japanese Medlar trees in warmer regions. In cooler regions, it can be associated with Quince trees, Akebia quinata, and Feijoa trees, which are also hardy and exotic. Take into account its dimensions when fully grown to determine the distance at which you will plant it. 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.