Valleiry

The origin and identity of this fig tree are unfortunately not known. It was found in an old orchard, in a village named Valleiry, in Haute-Savoie, around 1988. However, it is possible that this tree is an enhanced strain of "English Brown Turkey" with differences in fruit color and size.

Valleiry is a fig tree of medium size, larger than taller, that can be maintained to an easy-to-harvest size, by providing adequate trimming.

This cultivar is interesting for very cold climate as it produces a heavy breba crop followed by main crop. However, it is important that this fig tree be relatively well protected against strong winds, to prevent terminal branches from freezing too much in winter and breba from falling during humid, windy and cold springs.

When harvested at maturity, the breba fruits are very good, juicy and sweet. However, if some fruits are left longer on the tree, and that insects and birds do not feed on them, they become denser; the flavor comes closer to dried figs with a little note of strawberry.

Some fruits may start ripening at the beginning of July, but the real crop happens in August and ends in September. It is sometimes possible to harvest the last breba fruits along with the very first main crop fruits.

The main crop is usually late and is not really successful; some fruits may ripen in September, but the real ripening period starts in October and extends until the first frosts.

Unlike many other figs ripening in October, when the season stays warm, this variety is able produce really tasty and sugary fruits, with strawberry notes. The sugar rate does not seem to be much affected by the temperature drop that happens in Autumn.
 
General data
Origin France, Haute-Savoie
Synonym(s), local names  
Tree type Common
Crop Biferous
 
Tree morphological characteristics
Shape Weeping
Vigor Medium
Ability to produce suckers Medium
Height after 10 years 350 cm
Width after 10 years 300 cm
Minimum width 300 cm
 
Branch morphological characteristics
Branch color Brown, green
Caliber Medium
Buds Green
 
Leaves morphological characteristics
Leaves Average
Lobs 5
Depth Medium sinuses
 
Adaptation outside the Mediterranean area
Cold hardiness Very good
Wind resistant Good
Pot culture Very good
 
Breba crop
Yield Strong
Fruits dropping Partial fruit drop
Alternance None
Sensitivity to splitting Resistant
Crop begin date (day-month) Valleiry:05-08
 
External characteristics
Skin color Brown, red
Skin thickness Thick
Shape Pyriform
Stalk Breaks off readily
Stalk shape
Neck Quite long
Neck color Yellow
Eye Medium, opened
Eye color Dark pink
Average weight (grams) 65 g
 
Internal characteristics
Pulp color Dark strawberry
Seeds Felt, few
 
Organoleptic evaluation
Texture Juicy
Sugar Sweet
Taste Good
Perfume Medium
Organoleptic descriptors Floral, Fruity, Dried fig, Strawberry
 
Main crop
Yield Very Strong
Fruits dropping High fruit drop
Alternance None
Sensitivity to splitting Resistant
Crop begin date (day-month) Valleiry:07-10
 
External characteristics
Skin color Brown
Skin thickness Very thin
Shape Pyriform flattened
Stalk Breaks off readily
Stalk shape Short and thin
Neck Very short
Neck color Green, yellow
Eye Medium, opened
Eye color Dark pink
Average weight (grams) 40 g
 
Internal characteristics
Pulp color Dark strawberry
Seeds Felt, medium
 
Organoleptic evaluation
Texture Melts in the mouth
Sugar Sweet
Taste Very good
Perfume Strong
Organoleptic descriptors Dried fig, Strawberry