I am still a fig novice, and although the tree is getting HUGE this year and
has a lot of small fruit (the size of a big man's fat thumbs), despite
watering in hot spells, the largest fruit nearest to ripening falls off.

I put more pine straw mulch under it today to try to keep roots cool and
moist. Haven't fertilized since once lightly in early spring.

Is this early fruit drop a symptom of a particular problem that is curable
or at least treatable? A giant magnolia tree shades it in the morning but
it gets full sun from noon onward.

We have been awaiting our figs very eagerly, imagining the wonderful
clafoutis (fruit puddings) to be made.... Would hate to see all the fruit
drop off, since there was NO fruit to be seen last year.

Thanks for any practical advice,

laurie (Mother Mastiff)