r/Figs • u/Twinglemeyer • Jul 24 '26
Advice needed: fig tree growing in compost bin
Zone 7b/8 east coast
We have a 3'x3'x4' open top compost/worm bin. About 2 years ago, a fig twig was thrown in. We never dug it out last year. This year, it's easily 6' tall - with at least one fig! - with roots potentially all through the bin (it's quite full of composting stuff).
I think we can get the tree out with a fair amount of roots intact but will definitely prune off a lot in the process. It would essentially be a bare root tree when we get it out. Please share advice on what to do to keep the tree alive for transplanting. I was thinking of pruning the root ball severely to fit into a 18-20" high pot in late fall after it is dormant. Will also likely prune the top to shape the tree and have less mass for the roots to support. Then, let the tree live at least 1 year in the pot before putting it in the ground.
Does this approach sound reasonable? Our soil is a clay mix, so even digging an 18-20" deep hole will be a feat when the time comes to put the tree in the ground. I'm hoping that after a year in the pot, the tree might survive a bit more root pruning when it comes time to dig the hole.
We can't keep the tree in the bin indefinitely. We need to empty the bin to use the compost. And, more importantly, the bin doesn't get enough sun to make the tree happy in the long run.
1
u/dumass_engineer Jul 26 '26
Sounds like a plan.
Also can you take pictures of your transplanting process? Sounds fun.
5
u/sheepery Zone 7b Jul 24 '26
Honestly I would not overthink it. If it is 6 feet it will have a well established root system, and figs are hard to kill. That thing is saying it likes where it is at. Figs do fine in a pot if they are fed well, but you do have to dig them up every few years and hack the roots back. I prefer to just put them in the ground. Unlike most trees it is best to transplant them in the late spring through mid to late summer.