Fig – Too Big for its Pants – Its a Big Fig

We have a fig tree that really got to big in its location. It was only a little plant when put in, but 3 years later we decided to move it. It had been sat on the garden soil for 3 years.

The tub was a 35 litre one, approx 43cm diameter and 38cm tall, and handles. Well suited for easy moving.

However we were caught out by the amount and size of the roots that poked their way through the drainage holes. Also we did not think about the length the roots had got.

The holes in the tub were about 2.5 cm. The roots had got through all the holes and had expanded to over 5 cm diameter.

No matter how much tugging on the handles, there was no way it was going to move. Out came the spade and axe and some elbow grease. Most of the branches were cut down, to lighten the load.

We moved this into our field, but the old tub had to be cut away with an axe and secateurs. Finally it was freed and planted. We will see how well it grows in heavy clay.