Do a search on the fig forum site for "tree wrap winter" and you will find that much information has already been posted.

Dan

Depending where in RI you're located (N Scituate vs Bristol for example) should determine when you should wrap your fig (or dig it, your preference). Even if you are in "no school" land up there in the NW part of the state, you probably have another month before protecting should be done.

Generally speaking, the goal in wrapping a fig it protection from vermin (chewing rodents), protection from drying winds and lastly insulating from cold. Did you plant near a building? Where does the sun come up in relation to the tree? (south facing areas warm up more quickly in winter encouraging bark splitting and other bad things) Heck, if you're on Block Island (New Shorham) then you may not even have to wrap.

~Chills