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!

[LIsa]

I know, the bucket is quite hilarious-looking (I've actually seen that a lot around here, and never knew what it was for), but apparently, it's to prevent soaking from snow and rain!

I heard it's going to be a bad winter up here, so as tempted as I would be to do nothing with the tree, I'm too afraid I'll lose it completely...although an acquaintance of ours had the same experience as you did with his fig tree, and he lives 20 minutes away from us!

Thank you again for your responses! And all the best to you with your farm...I think what you're doing is great.

[Penelope]

I still can't envision where the bucket is placed - right side up or down? over the plant or under?

[LIsa]

On top of it, upside-down...like a helmet! LOL...Trust me, it's as weird to look at as it is to think about! I'm starting to think it's a Long Island Italian thing, because no one else seems to have heard of this, but it goes on all the time around here! :)

[LIsa]

Thank you, Tony, for making perfect sense of this!

[LIsa]

Um, Tony, right about now I'm wondering why I even purchased a fig tree, lol...but I'll take your word for it that it's "very easy and quick"!!

...Actually, I heard some stories about carpet and tar paper, and I think I'm going to do as you did, and use the burlap! However, I also think I'm going to use a bucket on top...I'm still trying to get the visual of the hose, LOL!!

[LIsa]

Thank you, Tony...I will probably post another question soon about composting and preparing a place for my garden next spring. It sounds like you know a lot about all of this, and I'll be looking for some advice on how to get it started before this year is over! Thanks again. -Lisa

[Glenn]

Hi Lisa

I know this thread is almost a year old - but, hopefully you're still receiving updates/comments...

Btw, I'm a fellow Long Islander (Dix Hills, previously Bay Shore)

And, hoping to hear how you made out with your fig tree(s)

I've lost 2 last year and trying again this year

And, I also found a little Italian man who told me the same thing with the bucket and burlap (not straw) :)

Hope to hear from you!

[LIsa]

Well, even though I wrapped it well with burlap and then tar paper--and put the bucket on top, AND mulch on the bottom...I lost the tree. Or so I thought!! As it turns out, I only lost the top of the tree...the bottom started sprouting leaves about two weeks ago, so I trimmed off the top, and now it's only about a foot and a half tall, lol!! I'll let you know if it produces anything...I'm hoping it does, because they were so delicious last year!

[Glenn]

oh great !

and, thanks for the reply - i was hoping that you were still following this thread

i haven't had a lot of good luck with these fig trees either

i was also told that the location in the yard is important - southern exposure / full sunlight / and not too windy in the winter (so, i planted these next to our neighbors bordering huge leyland spruces - hoping to block the wind) - we shall see...... :)

thanks again

[Joel LeGrand]

Hi Lisa, I live in zone 7b / 8a.I have a small black fig, I am going to wrap it in wire mesh & burlap, because this is it's first year. By the way,I read in "Pruning book" by Wittrock, Rodale Press1971.
"FIGS: White & brown figs, the process is to cutting back severely, since the flowers are borne on the season's new growth.
"Black figs fruit is borne on wood that is one year or more old; so care should be taking when pruning. I have not tried this because my tree is about 8" tall. Good luck.

[LIsa]

Thank you Joel...my fig tree actually came back to life, and I think it has two or so figs on it (not the 15 or so that I got last year, but I'm just happy it's alive)! The advice from that book seems to be fitting for what happened with my tree. I guess that means I have to prune the newer growth in the fall before I wrap it up?

[Maxine Walker]

Just getting around to checking out some of these subjects on Forum. If it had been last summer I would have nothing but woes to report on my container fig tree. I had read such conflicting views on fertilizing, some said none! Black spotted leaves, practically no fruit. This year I read the article Ian referred to. Wow, what a difference, had a very small Spring crop but now it is loaded with 33 nice ripening fruit and it's only 4 feet tall! It's in a 15 inch wide deep pot and I think the key is what the RHS recommends - feed weekly, alternating a high potash liquid plant food ( I'm using Maxsea) with a balanced feed (I use alpaca manure tea) It is so much easier to move your tree into a protected spot in winter and then wrap it in bubble wrap. On a wheeled plant stand would make it easier even if you wanted a larger pot. Can also move it to the hottest spot in the summer which it loves. Got down to 9 degrees here in Western Washington so the pot soil would freeze at that temp if exposed. It is a Lattarula, good for here, maybe not for other areas and maybe a smaller variety would be best. I will root and top prune before next Spring as it's been a few years in that pot, and add new soil. Also, if it's at all root-bound, watering is crucial.. With our recent 90 degree temp I water daily. Happy figging!