06/01/2026
Here's an interesting question that came into the Help Desk: why is my fig tree dying?
There are at least two possibilities why your fig tree is dying: Fig Rust; Transplant shock.
The greatest disease threat to fig production in Texas is fig rust (Cerotelium fici). Fig rust is more severe in rainy areas and seasons. Infected leaves turn brown and develop orange fruiting structures on the lower part of the leaf (Fig. 12). Severely affected leaves fall prematurely, leaving the tree weakened and unable to adequately ripen the crop. To control the disease, rake and destroy the infected leaves. No conventional fungicides are approved to control fig rust. Organic materials containing copper are generally effective at controlling fig rust if applied at the onset of the disease.
Another disease is fig mosaic virus, which is thought to be caused by a complex of viruses that invade fig trees. The disease first appeared in California but has now spread to most areas in the United States where figs are grown. The leaves on infected fig trees become mottled, usually in the heat of midsummer. The trees bear fewer, smaller, misshapen fruit."
AggieHorticulture.edu; https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu
Irrigation :
Consistent irrigation will increase fruit quality and quantity; adequate water during the hot summer months is very important. Provide water every 3-5 days during normal summer temperatures, and more often during periods of extreme heat. During the winter, trees may need to be watered every 2 weeks. Determine the duration of irrigation by using a soil probe. These simple tools can be purchased online, at garden centers, or at the local county extension office. Water all trees to a depth of 3 feet at each irrigation event. The amount of water it will take to get to 3 feet depends on your soil type and its water-holding capacity. Water depth will depend on the tree size. Small newly planted trees should be watered down to one foot. Medium sized (Shrub size) should be watered down to two feet, and large established trees should always be watered down to three feet. Providing mulch around the base of trees can reduce water requirements and w**d pressure while also enriching the soil. Apply 2 – 3 inches of mulch to the drip line of the tree canopy, but not directly around the trunk.
Planting If you choose to plant a fig tree directly in the ground, the optimal time for planting is in fall (September or October), after the heat of summer subsides, or early spring. This will give the roots time to become established before the arrival of cold winter temperatures or harsh summer heat. To plant, simply dig the hole at least twice as wide and no deeper than the root ball.
Arizona.Edu
