Fig Tree vs zone 6 winter??

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daiseycat Assonet, MA(Zone 6b) Nov 11, 2006

Can a fig tree survive outside, all winter, in zone 6? I was given a fig tree in memory of my Mom so it gets pampered, but it is a bloody nuisence. Each fall when we bring it in, a few roots get cut - can't help it. Sometimes the nights get colder than usual - can't help it, sometimes I forget to water as promptly as the royal fig would like, etc.. Each time the fig will sprew MANY of it's leaves all over the floor, and even with trimming it is too big. If I must I will continue to pamper, but I would love to be able to leave it out. Does anyone have a fig that survives outside year round? Can it be covered and left out (it lives in the front of my house)? Thanks for any information but a special thanks for any information that enables me to keep my fig outside.

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Lucky_P Hopkinsville, KY(Zone 6b) Nov 11, 2006

Are you talking common fig- F.carica - the one that produces edible fruits? or, one of the non-fruiting tropical/subtropical types(the scientific names elude me at the moment)?
F.carica - with some care and protection, will survive in-ground, outdoors through most zone 6 winters, but may experience die-back to the ground, necessitating re-growth, and less likelihood of setting and maturing fruit the following season. I've still got a couple of figs in-ground here in southern KY, but have opted to move all selections to pots that can be held in my crawlspace overwinter - allowing them to survive and fruit the subsequent season.
The 'ornamental' figs would probably be dead come spring, particularly if in a pot, above-ground for the winter.

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growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) Nov 11, 2006

As Lucky_P mentioned, if it's the edible fig, protect it with heavy mulch or even a cage filled with leaves and wrapped with burlap & tarps should get it through the worst weather. If you plant it on the south side of the house under the eaves should give it good protection. There is one cultivar called "Chicago" which is a heavy suckering form which fruits and is hardy to zone 6.

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ineedacupoftea Denver, CO Nov 13, 2006

There was an old lady here who had a big one. (Ficus carica) Usually, they die back an average of 50% each year here if not protected, which means not much taller than 6' ever. But, she would make a haystack enclosure all around it, and had figs in spring off of it. I think the dieback equates to how much effort you put into protection for it. And you can still get fruit off of new wood at the end of a long summer if the plant dies to the ground.
Some poeple have found the miniature cultivar (forget the name now...) nicer for cold climates in being easier to protect.

In three words (if you do have F. carica) : Go for it.

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