There are several factors which cause fig trees to not produce fruit, including age, excessive nitrogen, or water stress. Many people wonder why Jesus cursed the fig tree. In Clarke's Commentary, it is noted that figs appear at all times, usually before the leaves. The fig tree is symbolic of the Jewish nation, given every opportunity to become fruitful spiritually, but was totally barren. The axe would represent the destruction at the hand of the Romans. The curse was directed more at the fruitless Jewish nation, serving as a symbolic witness, warning all of us to not be barren spiritually.