Q Each year, the fruit on one of my two fig trees shrivels up on the tree and then falls off. The tree receives exactly the same amount of water and fertiliser as the other tree, which bears lovely figs. Do you have any advice?

A One fig tree bearing well and the other one not is one of those puzzling questions that has no quick answer.
Generally, the young figs fall off if the tree does not receive enough water between spring and mid-summer, when the fruit starts to develop. However, too much water can also cause the fruit to fall off. Another reason can be insufficient fertiliser. Fig trees like a dose of general fertiliser, such as 2:3:2 and 3:1:5, twice a year: in spring and again in mid-summer. These days more and more people are having problems with a pest called fig borer. This beetle lays its eggs in the bark of the tree. When the larvae hatch, they bore deep into the heart of the trunk and this assault can cause the tree to struggle, drop its fruit and eventually even die. Signs of this plague are small holes in the trunks, and if the infestation is allowed to go too far, it will be difficult to save the tree. Push a long screwdriver into the holes and spray contact poison into the tunnel. Your nearest nursery will be able to advise you on the different kinds that are available. Where possible, remove contaminated branches and dispose of them far away from the trees.

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