Winter Protection

Why Figs Need Winter Protection

Fig trees are native to warm, Mediterranean climates and thrive in temperatures between 70°F and 85°F (21°C–29°C). While some varieties, like ‘Chicago Hardy’ or ‘Smith,’ can tolerate colder conditions, prolonged exposure to below freezing temperatures can damage or kill branches, roots, or the entire plant. Winter protection helps mitigate frost damage and start the growing season sooner. 

  • Vulnerabilities:  

  • Green shoots and branches are non-lignified material this means they will dieback if exposed to sub-freezing temperatures. So how do I identify unlignified material? Lignified material should look brown or white-ish, the color of the trunk is generally a good guide. 

 

  • Roots in containers can freeze in temperatures below 15° without insulation, if this happens… well your tree is probably toast. We do “The Fig Shuffle” every year as it’s much less work than insulating the pots, more on this later. 

 

  • Cold snaps below 17°F (-8) may kill of limbs and even the tree back to the ground. 10°F (-12°C) will kill unprotected trees down to the ground and may kill them outright. 

Methods of Winter Protection

There are many effective strategies for protecting fig trees during winter. The best method depends on your climate, the size of the tree, and your available resources. 

For In-Ground Figs:  

Stringing Christmas lights on your trees will get the temperature up a few degrees especially if you use the large lights, this can be used in the following methods.

  • Wrapping:

    • Use burlap, frost blankets, or furniture blankets to encase the tree. If you do use furniture blankets or burlap, make sure to stake it up so you don’t put too much stress on the tree, or you might break of some branches. 
    • Secure the material with twine or stakes, make sure it covers the tree from the base to the top. 
    • Add a layer of straw or leaves inside the wrap for extra insulation.

  • Burying:

    • Prune the tree to make it manageable, following the instructions in the Pruning. 
    • Dig a shallow trench next to the tree, gently bend it into the trench taking care to not break the branches and cover it with soil or mulch. 
    • Mark the spot to avoid damaging it in spring.

  • Cut & Cover:  

    • Prune back your trees to about 12-18 inches from the ground.
    • Apply a 6–12-inch layer of mulch (e.g., straw, wood chips, or leaves) around the base to the trunk. Fill and place a full bucket of mulch over the tree.
    • Try to keep the mulch dry so you don’t make a breeding ground for disease. 
  •  

For Potted Figs:  

  •  Relocation aka The Fig Shuffle:
    • Move the container to a climate-controlled space like a garage, shed, or greenhouse where temperatures stay above 40. 
    • Avoid indoor heat, as figs a dormant period. 

  • Insulation:

    • Wrap the pot with bubble wrap or place it in a larger container filled with straw or sawdust. 
    • Cover the tree with a frost blanket if it remains outdoors. 

  • Watering:
    • Reduce watering to keep soil barely moist, overwatering can lead to drowning or rotting the roots. Or the water may freeze and kill the roots.