Question: How do i care for a black mission fig tree in the winter i live in long island new york and what is the best location to plant this tree also can i plant this tree now.  John

Answer: I am amazed at the number of figs that we ship into Long Island as well as New York, New Jersey and other areas where figs really should not be grown.  That's right - the climate is normally too cold for the semi-tropical fig tree.  But I have seen the absolute passion people in these areas have about figs - many with roots back to Italy or the Mediterranean regions where the fig tree thrives.

This passion for the fig has made a lot of people very creative in making forms of protection to help the fig through the coldest months.

Figs do not like temperatures below freezing for an extended period because the sap never goes to the roots like most deciduous trees do.  Figs never really harden off and the sap and other fluids in the branches will freeze and damage cell linings and tissues when it freezes.  It all depends upon how cold and how long it stayed cold. We try to harvest all figs from our fields before night time temperatures get below 32 degrees.   Usually a brief dip under freezing doesn't hurt, but once I start seeing it drop to 28 degrees F or lower, it is usually cold enough for a long enough period to cause damage.  Of course smaller branches freeze easier than larger ones.  Thus the trunk, being the largest is the last to be damaged.   Minor damage to branches can be cut off (should be cut off).  See this page on how to tell if a fig has frost damage: Fig Frost Damage

Some things to consider:

- Cold wind can dry out and cause additional damage.  Can the fig be planted in a wind protected area?

- Cold air falls to the lowest area.  Plant on a hillside instead of the bottom of a valley.

- Take advantage of the winter sun and plant on the south (or south west) side of a home so the tree is not hidden from the sun by shade.

- Plant next to the heated home where radiated heat might be available (newer, properly insulated homes should not offer much help) but leaky older homes help the fig but hurt your pocket book.  I have seen figs growing on Long Island right at the base of the building against the wall and under the eaves.  This gives an advantage when wrapping the outside of the tree and capturing heat from the building.  See photo example:

Old Brown Turkey Fig - Priority Landscaping - Brooklyn, NY

It has been here many years - frozen back occasionally based upon number of trunks coming from the ground.

- Create a way to wrap the tree so it captures ground heat.  I have heard (not seen) of people putting Christmas Lights on the tree inside the wrap for the coldest nights.  Be very careful about fire and electrical danger!!!

-  And many people put the fig into large (very large) pots with wheels under them to roll the whole tree into a garage or shed where it can be protected from the winter freeze.

Here is what others have said:  Growing Figs in Brooklyn? and  Garden Web Forum?

I am sure there are other ideas out there.  I would love replies from those of you readers who do any of this protection and photos if possible.

As long as the roots are not damaged and any dead limbs are cut off the tops, a fig should re-sprout from its roots (look more like a bush - not a tree).  Whether it has a long enough season to grow back and have fruit reach full ripeness will depend upon your weather that season.

Be careful that you don't make the tree so comfy warm that it decides to wake up and start leafing prematurely.

Hope this provides a little guidance.

Ron Ludekens