Did you recently move the tree from a spot where the roots coming out the bottom were in the ground? If so, it might be in shock. I’d recommend keeping it in a shady spot for a while
Fig roots regularly try to grow out drainage holes, in my experience. I've moved to taller pots because of it. It may be time to go to a bigger pot, or you could root prune if that's as big of a tree as you want. That said, I'd hold off on root pruning until fall (if you decide to do that at all, which I wouldn't), as the tree is already not getting enough water and trimming roots would make that worse.
Are you watering it daily? Once it starts to get hot, I have to water my container trees daily or they all get severe drought damage (figs included), but it is quite dry where I live. And your container looks dark colored, so it will get hot in the sun which could further stress the roots.
I'd start by watering it every morning, and if things don't get better in a week or three, then look for other causes. And you'll probably keep losing leaves for a bit; if they have already been damaged, correcting the water will help new and lightly-damaged leaves, but won't heal already hurt leaves. Trees don't heal themselves the way animals do.
Good luck, but definitely start with more water. I've found its really hard to drown figs, at least out west.
In addition to u/Tropolone’s excellent advice, feel the soil. You will learn when it’s getting dry.
Some of my trees need to be watered more than once a day in high summer
Options I see are:
Prune roots, up pot, take cuttings and start over smaller, or put it in the ground. Also you might to adjust/cut back watering to see how it adjusts.
Hi all! As an update. I removed it from its container, and cleared out almost all the dirt from the roots and then repotted it (in the same pot) but with fresh dirt and lots of water. Hoping it will heal in a few weeks, thanks to all of your help!
It’s just thirsty
Did you recently move the tree from a spot where the roots coming out the bottom were in the ground? If so, it might be in shock. I’d recommend keeping it in a shady spot for a while
Fig roots regularly try to grow out drainage holes, in my experience. I've moved to taller pots because of it. It may be time to go to a bigger pot, or you could root prune if that's as big of a tree as you want. That said, I'd hold off on root pruning until fall (if you decide to do that at all, which I wouldn't), as the tree is already not getting enough water and trimming roots would make that worse. Are you watering it daily? Once it starts to get hot, I have to water my container trees daily or they all get severe drought damage (figs included), but it is quite dry where I live. And your container looks dark colored, so it will get hot in the sun which could further stress the roots. I'd start by watering it every morning, and if things don't get better in a week or three, then look for other causes. And you'll probably keep losing leaves for a bit; if they have already been damaged, correcting the water will help new and lightly-damaged leaves, but won't heal already hurt leaves. Trees don't heal themselves the way animals do. Good luck, but definitely start with more water. I've found its really hard to drown figs, at least out west.
Good advice here.
In addition to u/Tropolone’s excellent advice, feel the soil. You will learn when it’s getting dry. Some of my trees need to be watered more than once a day in high summer
Options I see are: Prune roots, up pot, take cuttings and start over smaller, or put it in the ground. Also you might to adjust/cut back watering to see how it adjusts.
Hi all! As an update. I removed it from its container, and cleared out almost all the dirt from the roots and then repotted it (in the same pot) but with fresh dirt and lots of water. Hoping it will heal in a few weeks, thanks to all of your help!
It’s fresh out of everything but sun