It all started at the Horse Brass… Jay and I were sitting around a table of friends the other night when his buddy, Blair, offered up his fig tree to us. He was even willing to throw in some bamboo he had thinned out recently as well. The fig tree was great, but he had other plans for that part of the yard and there would be no more room for the pretty tree. I just about climbed over the table shouting “We’ll take it!!!” After moving two dwarf cherry trees from my mom’s house, somehow I figured moving a 15 foot fig tree in June would maybe be the same amount of work.
(That assumption was not really correct. Digging up a mature, 15 foot fig tree is a lot more work. And the hole is much bigger.)
I know very well that the best time to transplant a tree is while it is dormant. Of the four seasons of the year, I am well aware that summer is the worst time to move a tree. You would think I would go into this with some guarded hope then, right? Not so much… The thought of adding a mature fruit tree to our barely developing food forest was too much temptation.
We started the day by announcing to the tree that this would most likely be the worst day of its life. Shovels in hand, we went to work and about 4-5 hours later the tree was uprooted and ready to be moved. It was thrown on the back of Blair’s truck and we made the bizarre looking drive to our house. It was like a moving forest – pretty interesting looks from passers-by.
I have to say, it feels really terrible to know you might ruin something that was so majestic and happy before you entered the picture… Our hopes are not guarded at all. Everyday we check on the tree and lovingly feed it some water and vitamins, hoping it will forgive and forget. We were just so suckered into the idea of an already-mature fig tree at our finger tips and couldn’t resist the urge to disrupt its life for our benefit.
Keep your fingers crossed for us and feel free to share any bright ideas you might have! We can sure use them…
UPDATE: The fig tree survived! The leaves did crinkle and fall off. But I kept periodically watering it, and used the B1 rooting fertilizer from the plant store. By late-August we saw signs of life. This summer it has lovely leaves and baby figs on it!
Spring bed prep, the soil-building way! 
Upgrade your hanging basket game! 
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You might try a seaweed solution around the root zone and if the sun is not too hot, you can also spray the leaves. It encourages root growth and helps plants recover from shock. they are pretty tough trees, but it will have been a big shock. Good Luck
Jackie K in West Australia
He was going to get rid of the tree anyway, right? So you didn’t do anything but try to save it. I’m jealous, actually….if it works, you should have a tree just full of figs by next year! We plan to plant a tree in our backyard. I don’t know how long it takes for new trees to begin bearing. I guess I need to find out!
Hello-
I have a much more daunting task.
My Grandfather planted 3 fig trees in 1985. Today they have trunks 8″ in diameter. We have to sell the house but I would love to bring them to my house.
Is it possible to transplant the tree off of the branches? I have some branches that are 2″ in diameter and 15′ long.
Help!
I know nothing about trees..!
I would call your local nursery and see what they advise you to do. They were really helpful with my fig tree questions when we had it moved to our yard. I’m sure they could give you advice more sound than mine