“Valley Black” An exceptional find!

The story of the discovery of Valley Black goes like this. About four years ago I discovered a unique variety hanging over the fence of this house. I tried many times knocking on the door but never an answer. I walked by the tree for a couple years and finally one day the owner was outside. I started a conversation with her and she brought me into her backyard to see the tree. She asked me if I could help her prune it as she was an elderly woman. She proceeded to tell me it just popped up in her yard many years ago. She and her friends would make jam and would distribute the figs to friends and family. I asked her if I could name it and she was extremely grateful for my interest. She gave me piles of cuttings which I grew into trees and gave her, so she could spread the variety to others. I then distributed the variety to others around the USA. For some the figs dropped and others they ripened. Charlie Little rated it his number 1 tasting fig a few years ago. The fig is medium size, early and extremely complex. It has a very sophisticated flavor unlike other figs. Very rich flavor and doesn’t split here in Fresno. Common fig and very worthy of a spot in ground.