A Hardy Fig Tree starts with the Variety - Results after the Winter Z7A

Taken from my blog, www.figboss.com/ -- Here are some varieties of figs that are showing good hardiness here at my Philadelphia area zone 7A location. This year we saw a low of 6F:
Campaniere
Hardy Chicago (Azores Dark, Conde, Malta Black, Sicilian Dark)
Teramo
Florea
St. Martin
Longue d'Aout
Green Michurinska
Pastiliere
Kutfeji Black
White Triana
JH Adriatic
Moro de Caneva
Ronde de Bordeaux
Nerucciolo d'Elba
Verdino del Nord (VR) or Figoin
Celeste
LSU Tiger
LSU Hollier
Sefrawi
Sementino Rosso
While the variety isn't everything, it certainly helps. Fig trees however really need to be lignified well going into the winter. Even the hardiest fig (lets use Hardy Chicago as an example) will take damage if the branches aren't lignified well. Even in warm places like LA or FL that only see temperatures in the low 20s. The water in the soil during the summer and fall encourages our fig trees to grow and if that growth doesn't stop 3 or more months prior to the first hard frost, we won't see good lignification, so the genetics of the tree aren't everything.
Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia
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[@danielsmith336]

In zone 6a Kentucky I've overwintered Chicago hardy, VdB and Olympian for two winters plus LSU Tiger and LSU Golden Celeste for one winter. They are planted on the south side of a cement foundation, in a raised bed built out of cement blocks, that is against the wall. I wait until around Christmas or early January to wrap them. If small I bend them to the ground and cover them in straw. Then cover the straw with rubber floor mats to keep the straw dry. When they get too big for that, I prune them back to 5ft, tie them up into a cone shape, stuff straw into the cone and around the branches, then wrap them in overlapping layers of the rubber mats forming a volcano shape. I put a bucket on top to keep the rain out and they survive with minimal cold damage. Last year I had no rodent damage. This year I had some rodent damage on one branch of one tree.

[@Malvision1]

I was a little surprised how easily you past over the mention of the tree in your front yard that was hit by lightning a few times. Holy cow!!! I'd be pretty freaked out if that happened to me.

[@sunnysharma1701]

feeling good about this season Ross. I think the lignified wood from last year gives a good framework for the fig trees to grow figs on. When you chop them back harshly it seems like they focus more on establishing strong limbs to support the heavy fruits.

[@RossRaddi]

Sounds like your trees are just healthier.

[@petekooshian5595]

I'm in zone 6a and I've overwintered my Chicago hardy for two years in a row with very little die back or damage at all. I attribute that mostly to the 8+ inches of mulch I keep around it at all times.

[@DONGODEL]

the proximity in the front to the black asphalt on both side probably helps to keep the roots warm in the winter.

[@nmnate]

I managed to snag a Ronde de Bordeaux from Bass this year. We're putting in three in ground trees near a south facing fenceline (about as protected as I can get). I'm going to try the RdB, a Dark Portuguese and an improved Celeste. I'm expecting that they'll all die to the ground where I'm at (yearly low between -2F and 2F in my yard so far). Should be a fun experiment. I've definitely found that cutting back on watering in the fall helps get trees into dormancy better. Anyways - thanks for the videos about in-ground fig hardiness. I really do appreciate the content. :)

[@RossRaddi]

Celeste and RdB can be tricky to fruit from dieback. Make sure the new trunks get enough light!

[@nmnate]

@@RossRaddi The spot I've got for them gets summer sun from mid-morning until late afternoon (I'm hoping at least 9 hours a day for most of the growing season). Hoping for some figs :)

[@garrettmann3270]

Glad to see these doing well for you. I'm hoping mine will fare as well. I'm getting ansy though because the ones in pots I kept in the greenhouse are still dormant, I've not heated the house like you did, though.

[@roccoconte2960]

Still very surprised you can have figs survive the winter uncovered , I know your south of me ,I'm in Boston be didn't think it makes that much difference good video Ross.

[@Steve-ci1kj]

I’m rooting a couple Sicilian darks from Big bill right now. Good to know that it’s hardy and productive.

[@robertbrawley5048]

At the 01:42 time mark you are describing replant disease which is a major concern for commercial orchards. You know about this but so.e in your audience aren't aware of it . Root stock. Are developed to counter the replant disease in which orchards are planted after the previous orchard was bull dosed

[@MikeMurphyinc]

Of these, which fig varieties do you think taste the best? And any updates of how they've done this most recent winter?

[@RossRaddi]

They all survived without any damage.

[@Joci12345]

Fig Boss! Thanks for this Video. What is the name of the Hungarian Hardy Fig at 6:45? (I am Hungarian, and try to collect if its avaiable)

[@danielsmith336]

Kutfeji black

[@RossRaddi]

Kutfeji black

[@thevagrowinggardener1898]

Do you cut off the die-back from your fig trees?

[@NurseryEnterprises]

semintin oroso fig? I can't find it on The Google. How do you spell it?

[@exels1]

Great video Ross, what’s the closest spacing you can plant fig trees into the ground?

[@RossRaddi]

1 ft. Do I recommend that? No.

[@exels1]

@@RossRaddi thank you! We are!

[@Kay-xi9kv]

Which varieties would you recommend that are cold-hardy and fruit from die-back? Thanks!

[@RossRaddi]

Pretty much all of the figs in the description. Fruiting from dieback is all about getting the light each tree needs. Some require more light than others. Some ripen earlier or later than others. Hardy Chicago, Campaniere, Caneva, Green Michurinska are all in my top 20.

[@dandelaney5733]

What are some of the varieties that did poorly?

[@RossRaddi]

All of the ones not mentioned.

[@audiemueller7500]

Ross how many hours of sunshine are those west side figs getting?

[@RossRaddi]

6-7. Not enough tbh.

[@tarottime3219]

Ross I have a question, how can I tell the age of a fig tree? Thanks ☺️

[@RossRaddi]

Chop it to a stump and count the rings 😂

[@DaBuDaSak]

How many feet are they planted away from the house? Any concerns about your foundation?