Ficus carica is a great choice for Bay Area gardens because they are so easy to grow. They do require 6-8 hours of full sun and heat for the fruit to mature properly. Fig trees do best in well-drained soils but will tolerate wet soils better than most other fruit trees. Fig trees feature distinctive sculptural leaves and only require 100 hours of chill time below 45°F. Gophers love these trees and preventing them from causing havoc or destruction can be a challenge. Ficus carica can be pruned to retain a smaller size. Best of all, they require no cross-pollination and through parthenocarpy, they can produce more than one fruit crop each year.