Fig trees and a NY winter

[LIsa]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to wrap up a fig tree for the winter...for example, when to do it, what to use, how to do it...or if I even have to do it...?? Thanks!

[Elizabeth A & Michael P. Hofmann]

Don't know about FIG TREES in particular, but the dwarf fruit trees I got from Gurney's last year came equipped with a trunk protector...after leaf fall and before snow, the plastic wrapped very loosely around the trunks to a height of about 2 feet--basically just a mouse barrier I think. I had staked the trees with 3 stakes around each and jute twine. With our heavy snow last year, the tress were totally buried, and the weight of snow did break off a few branches. All but one survived the winter--now all we have to deal with is JAPANESE BEETLES!

[LIsa]

Thank you Elizabeth and Michael, for your reply! The last few winters here on LI seemed to be very warm--not much snow, if any at all. I know friends who have fruit trees (peach, for example) who could probably use the plastic barriers to keep out the "critters", but don't wrap their trees, and the trees are fine--but people keep telling me fig trees are different, more sensitive to the cold? I guess I can always go back to the nursery where I purchased them and ask for specific instructions!

[Ian]

Hi Lisa, If you're grrowing the fig in a container, this article from the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK might be helpful

Growing Figs

My own fig tree is planted in the ground and survives winter temperatures often reaching -15C (5F). I don't take any special precautions with it.

[Coyote]

I have an Ohio fig tree, Cleveland area. I dont wrap it, instead I break off all of the dry sticks from the previous year growth (not the current year) in mid spring, being careful not to break off any that are actually alive (I leave the current year, besides it looks cool in the landscape with all the sticks). I do this because I read somewhere online (and I cant find it now) that you were supposed to do that. I believe you are also supposed to mulch it in the winter with straw to protect it, but I have not done so and my fig is still doing fine and dandy in a mostly sunny but sheltered-from-wind spot, it produces heavily about every other year, with the output seeming to be impacted by how warm a summer and fall we have.

[LIsa]

Hi Coyote, and thank you for your response! I'm sure it's colder in Cleveland than it is where I am on Long Island (the south shore, which stays warmer into the winter because of the ocean...but it also stays cooler in the spring because of it, too). I think it's pretty susceptible to wind due to it's location in my yard, however...I'm so confused. I don't know what to do! But I think I'll wrap it this year just to be on the safe side...and use the straw, as well. Thanks again for the advice!

[Penelope]

Mulching trees with straw can have mixed results. The straw makes a warm place for mice to hang out and they can chew the bark off trees and bushes and kill them. I believe rock/gravel mulches are recommended for trees.

[LIsa]

Thank you, Penelope...we've had rodent issues in the past, and I worry I'll be inviting them back just by having a garden! As I've stated, I'm new to all of this, and all suggestions are very much appreciated!

[Jacki]

hi there here we wrap in news paper and hesian bags before the frost hit you can also use straw and hesian bags it all works and then tie string around to hold it all in place...good luck

[LIsa]

I'm hearing a lot about using newspapers lately...someone just told me to wrap it in some sort of carpet, then to put a garbage bag over the top and wrap it all up...they were from my area, so I'm guessing I should follow their advice, but the carpet thing sounded really extreme! I'm also unsure about how to trim it. I think I'll start another discussion!! Thanks for your reply!

[Dancing Creek Farm]

I am in Virginia and although not as cold, my figs die completely back in winter and then come back up FAST starting in spring. As soon as the leaves fall off you can cut it back, if you want (I do) and mulch it over. I might build a tent for mine this year just so they don't damage so badly and maybe they will come up faster. Figs go completely dormant in winter. In fact some people I know pull them out of the ground late fall, store in the basement and then in pots keep warm, let it get an early jump on its foliage and then put them back in the ground.

What kind of figs do you have?

[LIsa]

Hi, Dancing Creek, and thank you for responding! I have mission figs. But the funny thing is, just yesterday, I went to the nursery where I purchased the tree to inquire about a composter (something that you just can not find in my area). Although they didn't have a composter, the gentleman who owns the nursery (an Italian man from Naples who's probably in his 70's) explained to me how to compost using just the ground (put the scraps in, put in a little lime and cover with dirt to keep the smell down). I then asked him about the fig tree, in which he told me the following:

When the leaves fall off, tie them up against the tree. Wait until the first frost. After that, making sure the conditions are dry, take dry straw and tie it up the tree ("...You puta the straw, then you tie with the string! Straw, then string! Straw, then string! Maka sure the straw is dry!"). Then you wrap the tree with two layers of tar paper, and hang a bucket on the top.

After that, he took me around the grounds, which I think I will blog about, because it's too long to describe here!

[Dancing Creek Farm]

lol- I'm not sure what the bucket is about. Still, even wrapped the whole tree goes dormant in winter, especially in my zone and yours. I can see composting the ground to protect the roots but I don't see how wrapping it would help. My figs died completely back. In fact I thought they were dead. Then they started growing and are 3 times the size they were the year before. They are also loaded with figs. The only thing I might do is cover them to give them a head start and hopefully fruit a little sooner. My fear is that we might get frost before the fruit on it develops.

I am no fig expert. I was born and raised in Florida and even though I had figs there, they grow different here. I would like to get a few different types and next year might start cuttings to trade.