Montebello Unk

The Figtator

Well-known member
Italian heirloom variety brought to Baltimore and planted in the 1920’s. Beautiful tree. This has been grown unprotected for the last several years and most years it survives just fine in 7b/8a. The owner prunes it down to 4-5’ every spring and it regrows to 12-15’ and he gets thousands of figs each year that he preserves and gives out to neighbors.IMG_2933.jpegIMG_2877.jpegIMG_2879.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I was very surprised to see how big this tree gets considering that it’s not protected at all. Some of the trunks are 6-8”!! I’m 7b but the last two years we have had uncharacteristic lows. Maybe I can have something like this someday!
Hope it works out for you, that would be nice!
 
Interesting!!
I live about 30 minutes away from that area, and have a friend lived next to Lake Montebello. I'm pretty active in the local fig group and haven't heard of this variety yet. I'm really interested in hearing more about this one. There are a good number of hardy unique figs being recognized in the area. It helps to have experienced growers to recognize a variety as being unique
 
Italian heirloom variety brought to Baltimore and planted in the 1920’s. Beautiful tree. This has been grown unprotected for the last several years and most years it survives just fine in 7b/8a. The owner prunes it down to 4-5’ every spring and it regrows to 12-15’ and he gets thousands of figs each year that he preserves and gives out to neighbors.View attachment 3277View attachment 3278View attachment 3279
Out of curiosity do you grow any theobroma cacao at home?
 
Love to graft a stick of these two Baltimore unk. to one of my inground "frankinfigs",have tons of var. to trade just about to start mailing folks wants all around the country ! Your wish is my command !
 
Italian heirloom variety brought to Baltimore and planted in the 1920’s. Beautiful tree. This has been grown unprotected for the last several years and most years it survives just fine in 7b/8a. The owner prunes it down to 4-5’ every spring and it regrows to 12-15’ and he gets thousands of figs each year that he preserves and gives out to neighbors.View attachment 3277View attachment 3278View attachment 3279

Outstanding! This is the sort of fig that truly interests me. Having been proven over a long time to perform like this in the northeast. If anyone ever has a few sticks they can part with l, I’m interested.

I would love to know more about how the owner prunes this down.

So impressed!
 
Interesting!!
I live about 30 minutes away from that area, and have a friend lived next to Lake Montebello. I'm pretty active in the local fig group and haven't heard of this variety yet. I'm really interested in hearing more about this one. There are a good number of hardy unique figs being recognized in the area. It helps to have experienced growers to recognize a variety as being unique
He didn’t have a name for it. He recently bought the house but said the previous owners were proud of it and they had planted it and they were the original owners.

I’m not really spreading it around or anything. Just thought it would be cool to document a beautiful tree
 
Outstanding! This is the sort of fig that truly interests me. Having been proven over a long time to perform like this in the northeast. If anyone ever has a few sticks they can part with l, I’m interested.

I would love to know more about how the owner prunes this down.

So impressed!

What additional info would you like? I’ll see what I can do. He’s the neighbor of my brother in law. He prunes and throws it all away. I can see if I can get my Bro to send me some for you and @Fig Gazer
 
What additional info would you like? I’ll see what I can do. He’s the neighbor of my brother in law. He prunes and throws it all away. I can see if I can get my Bro to send me some for you and @Fig Gazer
@The Figtator Id love to grow Montebello unk if you can swing some cuttings. I can trade or purchase with you , your brother inlaw or the tree owner if you don't mind facilitating the deal.
 
@The Figtator Id love to grow Montebello unk if you can swing some cuttings. I can trade or purchase with you , your brother inlaw or the tree owner if you don't mind facilitating the deal.
I’ll see what I can do. Worst case, I’ll have cuttings next year from my little tree that I can share with those that have asked.
I’ll make sure @Fig Gazer gets a piece bc grafting it will be great for making good wood to spread around!
 
Back
Top