Brown Turkey Fig Tree

Brown Turkey Fig (Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey') is the fruit tree for gardeners who want a serious crop without a serious workload. Self fertile and famously unfussy, it grows about 5m tall and wide and bears twice a year: a light crop in summer, then a heavier harvest through autumn. Few fruit trees succeed across as much of Australia as this one.

Why you'll love it

• Two crops a year. An early summer pick on last season's wood, then the main autumn harvest on the new growth.
• One tree does it all. It is self fertile, so there is no pollination puzzle to solve and no second tree required.
• Grows almost anywhere. Frost hardy, drought and heat tolerant, comfortable in salt air and poor soil, at home everywhere outside the wet tropics.
• Fast shade from big foliage. The large lobed leaves build a dense canopy quickly, giving working summer shade.
• Low maintenance. A winter prune and a spring feed cover the annual care.

Where it works best

Feature and shade planting. Give it space for a 5m spread, and keep the trunk 4 to 5m clear of pipes, paving and pools, because fig roots hunt moisture aggressively.

Seasonal screening. In leaf it is a dense summer screen. It is deciduous, so accept the bare winter view or pair it with an evergreen backdrop.

Pots and containers. Figs crop unusually well with restricted roots. A 500mm pot holds one at around 2m and keeps the roots out of trouble.

Growing Brown Turkey Fig in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun; the more heat on the fruit, the sweeter it gets. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and semi arid climates, and being deciduous it is frost hardy through winter.

Soil. Any soil that drains, from sand to stony ground. Compost the planting hole, then resist heavy feeding: a rich life gives leaves instead of figs.

Water and feed. Water deeply while the tree establishes and while fruit is swelling, because sudden drought at that stage drops the crop. An established tree is genuinely drought tolerant. A modest feed in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Prune in winter while the tree is bare, keeping it low, open and within picking reach. Go gently, since the summer crop forms on last season's wood. Wear gloves and sleeves: the milky sap irritates skin.

What to expect when it arrives

Brown Turkey is sold as 200mm plants in a pack of 6: enough for a productive screen at 3m spacing, an orchard row shared with neighbours, or a mix of garden and potted trees. Each establishes fast, and a plant arriving in winter will be dormant and leafless, exactly as it should be. Expect the first useful crop within 2 to 3 years.

Orders are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full fruit tree range
• Fruit trees for every season, with planting tips
• Feijoa White Goose, an edible hedging companion
• More edible plants for a productive garden

Common questions

Why is it sold as a pack of six?

We grow and ship this variety as six 200mm plants, which suits how figs are used: a fruiting screen, a shared order, or several trees in pots. Young figs also establish faster than advanced transplants.

Will the roots damage pipes or paving?

They can. Fig roots are vigorous moisture seekers, so keep the tree 4 to 5m from pipes, paving and pools, or grow it in a large pot or root barrier where clearance is tight.

When do the figs ripen?

The light crop comes in summer and the main crop through autumn. A ripe fig softens, droops on its stalk and lifts off easily; picked hard, it will not ripen further.

Can I keep it small?

Easily. A winter prune holds it at 2 to 3m picking height, and a potted fig stays smaller again while cropping well.

Anything to watch when picking?

The white sap from stems and unripe fruit irritates skin, so wear gloves when picking and pruning.