The fig trees I like (or not)

Oh, I’ll have to try the parsley and roses as companions.
Paul, I do hope it isn’t armillaria rot, but Armillaria tabescen does attack fig trees. That is the first thing I would check for. You can see how to visually recognize the condition on this website.
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1776/eb1776.html
Too many nematodes in the soil are a possibility since it is affecting more than one tree. You usually see a slow decline of the tree if that is the problem though. The first sign is usually early fruit drop. The roots will be swollen and have galls on them if nematodes are the trouble.
Could Darius have already diagnosed the problem? Is it possible field mice or something are gnawing at the base in winter? I have to work with my fig trees in long sleeves and gloves because I’ve developed a mild allergy to the latex figs contain. I would never have imagined rodents eating the stuff, but obviously it is on the winter menu for them. All my garden experience is in zones 8b-10. I don’t know what cold damage looks like. It seems like that would show up on the tips of the branches, not the base, however.
Are you going to try to out maneuver the rodents and try figs again, Darius?
The good news from my fig and grape garden is the mystery fig is already beginning to leaf out. The bad news is a bluejay has a nest on the edge of the garden. In my experience, they are the worst of the fig thieving birds. k*

No figs for this year, but I may try again next year. Too many other projects taking preference over how to safely store fig trees,

Buffy,
The Lowes store in Wake Forest (near Raleigh) had plenty of Celeste fig plants last Saturday. IF you have a Lowes, check there.

Paul

I have some fig trees in an unheated back room. I was considering covering them with sheets of fleece to protect them over the winter. Has anyone tried that? I had only gotten 1 fig in the last 3 years I have grown fig trees and would like to get some more fruit!

For fig growers in the north: in pots and overwinter in cold garage is fine, IF you can bind the limbs together to get in the door! I'm in central New Jersey, and instead I bend the fig stalks over to the ground, pull a tarp over, and pile 6" of wood chips on top. This keeps them dry enough not to mold, and wet enough not to peel the bark from winter dessication. Uncover in late spring, and prune out any dead stalks. When a stem gets too thick (ca. 1.5") to bend well, off it goes. The wood chips stay on the figs as mulch. 'Brown Turkey' is my heaviest bearer, and "Green Ischia' has the most-nearly caprified taste, to me, also is largest. Also rans (not much difference, all good): 'Chicago', 'Peter's Honey', 'Violette de Bordeaux'= 'Celeste', 'Black Mission', 'Tony's Black'.

I enjoyed all the comments about figs. I don't know all the names, but I've grown brown, black & green figs.
The green ones taste fantastic, but they split badly. The brown ones are very reliable, taste is only so so. The black ones I got from a friend across the street taste very good, but the bad freezes we've had last few years have hampered growth. Besides the yummy fruit, figs are so very easy to root. Snip off a small green branch just before leaves form in the spring & stick it in ground that stays moist. Done!

Also, tender new leaves can be dried & used to supplement tea or make herbal tea. Helps with blood pressure. Can be cooked similar to grape leaves as well.