Figs only form on new growth the year after.

You tree hasn't gone dormant. I'm not from the North but it looks like they all wait till the tree is dormant (shed its leaves). Everything I see is people placing dry leaves/hay around dormant figs, wrapping that with burlap, and then putting a white tarp/fabric over that. That would create an insulated, dry area to keep the figs protected from frost/sleet/ice/snow. If you have to use trash bags, I would use white to reflect light.

Thank you. One more thing. My barber planted these same trees at the same time I did. He planted one tree and got 15 figs in this first year. I planted two trees on opposite sides of my house and neither tree bore any fruit the first year. Would you know why this might be that I didn't see even a hint of fruiting?

Tree must push out new growth, get chill hours, and then it will fruit. As long as you are getting new leaf/stem growth, figs will come in due time.

Why the difference between two locations? Sun hours, soil type, watering, etc, etc. If they are young, fruiting could be erratic until established. Just worry about keeping it green, growing, and protected during heavy snow.

I chose the locations mostly just due to space. That being said the one behind my house grew at twice the rate as the one out front. The soil in the back has been cultivated for many years and is much richer, not to mention more sun. The leaves all fell off to a light touch so I covered it up this afternoon. Here's what I did:

- I pruned the tips back to the first node

- Pruned away suckers

- Tied up and wrapped snugly in burlap.

- I placed soil around the trees to add about 10 inches around it (wanted to raise the frost line)

- Then I placed stakes in a circle, 12" around the tree. I wrapped the stakes in burlap and then filled the void with leaves that fell from my maple

- Finally, I pulled big, heavy duty garbage bags down over the whole thing. I'm hoping this not only protects from cold winds, but also that the black bag generates some heat

The last two winters here in Toronto have been exceptionally cold. I'm hoping for better this winter. Fingers crossed.

I have some more fig trees coming to me in spring from a friend but they're southern Italian varieties.....So those are going on to big pots with casters and into the shed for the winter.

Thanks again for the great advice.

Indeed I misunderstood. The bags come off today. It's been pretty mild here so hopefully it hasn't caused any problems

Hi all,

Like Joe I'm new to growing figs in the north (zone 6 in CT) and my three young trees are two years old and have never fruited, but given our last two winters, little wonder. I'm thinking about doing the following for this winter: instead of staking the trees, what about using a Quikrete tube (12" diameter, 4ft long) to place over the trees? I would wrap my trees as usual with burlap and white plastic and cover the opening of the tube with either a bucket or white plastic. The tube is water resistant and will protect my trees from the winds of winter. Thoughts? thanks, Mike

Sounds like a good idea. So have these figs died to the roots? Or did some wood survive? What variety? You may want to try Florea, one of the most hardy figs I know about. Part of the problem is the cold. Unless you heat them somehow, nothing we can do about it. As stated the wrapping is to keep them at a constant tempature, all we can do.

All of mine are in containers and go into the garage. No other protection.

Thanks Drew51,

Two of the trees are Chicago Hardy, the other I can't remember but could be Florea. I know all were intended to be hardy. After last winter, they all died to the roots, but then grew rapidly to about four feet but no buds, no fruit. I also used insulation wrap, R-19, but I have no idea if that helped or not. Thought about containers but my garage is exposed and they would freeze solid; besides, no room to spare. The Quikrete tubes are intended to save me some labor getting the trees ready.

Both of the trees I have now are Chicago Hardy. They were about 3' tall when I tied and covered them last week. None of it has died back yet. This spring I'll be getting a new bigger variety from a friend. I don't know the name. Only that he brought them back from Calabria many years ago. I'll be posting pics when I have them. Obviously these will be going into pots and will never see winter.

Well keep us updated. Chicago Hardy is a very nice variety worth growing. Our winters have been bad, hopefully it will be a little bit more mild this year. Hard to tell as the weatherman are clueless, they can't get the next day right.

Hi Joe

you say you are in Toronto I'm in brampton

a lot of people throw an old rug or two on top after its bent sideways as much as you can without breaking it then a tarp or an old pool cover on top seal edges with dirt or wood

wait until frost is over next year uncover let it grow and eat some figs

Happy figging

Much appreciated. This picture is what I ended up doing. Sorry for the dark night picture. I just stuck my phone out the window.

I did the thing I mentioned above where they're tied up and surrounded by about 16" of leaves all around with sticks and burlap holding it all in. What I changed is that I took off the black bags I had on before and replaced it with some Tyvek that I had left over from building my shed. This way it's insulated and has I white protective cover that's water and wind resistant - yet breathes.

What I didn't do is bend them down at all. I admit I don't understand the reason for doing this if your not bending them right underground. (That's what my father used to do). Do you just bend them to the ground?

Seriously - I'm starting to think these will just be easier to grow in pots with wheels that I can just roll into the garage for the winter.....The things we do for fresh figs....They're just so good though..

Hi Joe

where are you in Toronto

I'm not crazy about typing

I've tried what you did before and it died

Ralph

Thanks Ralph. I copied your number down. I think you can still delete your comment so it comes off the forum. I'm going down for the night but will touch base later. Thanks again for the advice.

I was told these Chicago Hardy figs could be left even without covering.... but of course last winter was really brutal so I know many were lost. That month of -20 did a lot of damage. Fingers crossed now...

BTW - I'm in south Scarborough. Right on the Bluffs in Guildwood Village.

I'm in a warm climate now, but when I lived in a cold one, burying the fig tree was not that difficult. Now, though, I think I would grow a long lateral a few inches above the ground, cover it well for the winter and allow it to grow vertical branches in the spring (like the Japanese do).

Yes, I'm thinking about using the zombie fig technique myself. Seems to be the very best option in my zone.