Thinking of picking figs from one of the many trees on our campus? Please wait!
All of our trees on our campus are part of the University of Maryland's Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and as such, are community trees, intended for everyone to enjoy. Moreover, our trees, whether they are fig trees, cedars, oaks, or sweetgums are teaching specimens for many of the University's classes. Not only do students studying plant sciences use them, but also landscape architecture students, liberal arts students, agriculture students, English students, and many more!
Did you also know that we donate figs to the University of Maryland's Campus Pantry? For the past five years, the Arboretum has donated fresh produce and herbs to the Pantry to supplement the dry goods that food insecure Terps receive from the Pantry. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have steadily increased our donations and in CY2020, we donated nearly 1200 lbs of produce. By not harvesting the figs, you help us assist those in our community who need it most.
Lastly, did you know that green figs do NOT continue to ripen after they are harvested? That's right, if you pick a green fig hoping that you can enjoy it later, you are out of luck! It will stay as green as it is.
Please leave the figs on the trees for everyone - including our bird population! - to enjoy. Thanks!