Hi ,

 I am planning to heat the shed to around 35f .
 Should I mulch around the base of the tree and with what ?
 I am concerned about mold . Any ideas about how to avoid mold issues ?
 Should I put plastic on the ground ?
             Any input would be greatly appreciated .

John

I would think even-5*C would be fine for a tree that mature.  Most trees can handle colder than that.

I would mulch the ground deeply with dry leaves or something, maybe straw.  At least a foot deep.  A tarp in my opinion would reduce the amount of heat coming from the ground which you want to maximize.
I wouldn't worry about mold unless the tree is wrapped in plastic.  Perhaps wrap it in burlap very well.

Lastly, put a couple bowls of moth balls around the base of the tree (thanks for the idea Bass) to keep the mice away.

Good luck

Love it.

I like the material you've used, it should protect against the cold for sure. I hope it won't suffer the transplant shock. 

Thanks for the input guys

Hey Nas I am also in Toronto . I am thinking to keep the temp a bit above 0 C because I just transplanted the tree about 3 weeks ago and the root system hasnt had time to re-establish itself . Do roots still grow when the tree is dormant ??
Bass I have seen your video on wrapping trees and am glad someone posted a step by step with pictures . I may need it next year for a smaller tree I have. The mice issue is on my mind and I will definitely use the mothball advice , thanks.

The roots will not make any growth I dont think now that it is asleep.

As long as the roots are protected to -5*C, you are good to go.

They can handle cold, they just cant handle frost, and the frost/freeze/thaw cycles that follow. And obviously a long stretch at below -5* C would concern me, but as long as the median temp is -5* or higher, it should be ok.

Again, err on the side of protecting as this is the first year.

hI John,
 Looks like a great set up for the tree.
and nice to see such a good looking tree in ground in southern ontario.
do you know what variety it is?
I am also wondering about the situation it was growing in before you dug it up. how protected was it. out in open, somewhat sheltered in a back yard like you have it, or up against a south facing wall??

it was either here on the garden web figforum that I read that the roots can/will continue to grow when the top has gone dormant, as long asoil temp stays somewhat above 50F.

Grant
z5b kitchener Ontario

John, I agree that is a very nice set up to protect the tree. In fact it's the best one I have ever seen.

Yes Grant
A number of post by tapla (Al) and others in GW forum have indicated that roots will grow when the moist soil temperature is above 45F (or 50F).

Hey Grant ,
This may sound crazy , but I didnt get a chance to try the figs. All I know is that they are green and the new owner of the house says they taste great.
I got a lot of advice on how to transplant the tree from Adrianno at Adrianos Figs . He figured that it must be good if the old italian owner of the house was willing to bury it every year . I also dug out 2 other smaller trees from the same property ( 8 feet tall ) and potted them . One of the smaller trees is a black fig.To me this is all a sort of experiment and if it all works out in the end I will have learned a lot and have a great fig tree .

Hey Bob ,
Thanks for Your kind words. Again I don't know what variety or taste but it sure seems like you know your figs..

I have included pics of the 3 trees and a photo of the figs one of the smaller trees (black). I also have a photo of the structure that the owner used to cover the trees after bending them down and covering . Its hard to tell but the height of the structure is apx 4 feet or so. And as you can see grant the trees were in a wide open area .

John

hi John,
I dont think it sounds crazy.
If I were offered such a tree, free for the digging, I would jump at it, whether or not I knew what it tasted like.  Arethe smaller trees you put in  pots the same as the one you put in ground?
Grant

Hey Grant

The smaller trees are a different variety. One is green and one is black . The Lady that I got them from said that the black were her favorite . She said the large tree had so many figs she did not know what to do with them all so she posted an ad and was surprised to find that word got around to high end restaurants and chefs were her main buyers.

John