Hello there.  I was wondering if anyone had advice as to what might be going on with my in-ground Kadota Fig.  After a harsh winter, I did not expect the tree to survive even though it was wrapped.  To my surprise, after uncovering the tree on April 2nd, it appears to have remained completely alive and well throughout.  You can see from the pictures the scratch test towards the top and even what appears to be a green bud.  The irony of it all is that the Kadota variety isn't particularly cold hardy like the celeste and chicago hardy and regretted purchasing it thinking it was a bad choice.  I'm very excited that this wasn't the case even with the record cold winter.

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Anyway, as of late, it seems that nothing is coming of it.  The seemingly green bud hasn't gotten any greener and all you can see is a bunch of red nubs on the branch but nothing green although the scratch test still yields green underneath.  There have not been any nights below high 30s since unwrapping it.  It seems like the tree is just stagnant.  The tree only has one long center stem / branch that is about 3.5 feet tall.  Are the nubs signs of new growth or hardened from last year? 

The last two photos are from today and you'd think the ones from April 2nd look more promising.  I know every variety grows differently and I'm truly perplexed with this one.   Any advice is grateful!  Thank you.

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April 2nd:

       

Now:

     

I've had a similar experience in the past.  Almost as if the tree wasn't ready to be exposed yet.  Worst case, it should sprout from the lower branches or roots.  I have a potted one that did just what yours did (garage protected), then the green buds dried up.  The limbs are shriveling up too.  I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it will come back from the roots this summer.

Advice coming from Southern California seems meaningless, but looking at your photos I see a bunch of dormant trees behind yours, so if they haven't emerged, maybe it's just not warm enough for the Kadota?  Figs are tough, and I know Kadota is not one of the cold hardy types, but it will probably start budding and shooting soon!

Good luck!

Suzi

Anyone that has fig trees in zone 6 that are in ground seen any budding yet? Maybe it's just too early???

I live in central NJ and most of my in ground trees have not broke bud yet...however they are alive mostly to the terminal buds. All of my container kept figs began to break bud about a week and a half ago. Im no expert here but I think your tree might need another week or two of warm weather.

Here in CT I've had my potted trees out for a week already and the buds are just starting to swell. The in ground tree I had previously would usually take 3-4 weeks to get to same point. I think its just the soil has to warm up telling the roots system it is time to start pumping water and nutrients upward. 

figgi11, you definitely didn't uncover it too early from what you are saying about the temps.  I've noticed with my trees that in the early spring wood that seems to have green cambium underneath later dies i.e. you think you have located the interface between dead and live wood but then over the next few weeks that interface moves further down the trunk.  It is not due to exposure to cold after uncovering but there seems to be a time lag for the cambium underneath to turn brown.  That is probably what is happening to your tree.  It seems likely that as the the weather warms up you will see buds emerge initially around the base and then possibly further up the trunk.  For whatever reason, these cold damaged figs always show swelling buds at the base first and then go up from there (or not).  Good luck.

If you do not see live buds on May 1,on upper branches,then that wood is dead .
However the plant is ,in most cases alive and will grow new limbs later in May and June.
Some early leafing cultivars got live growing buds here,now, ,on in ground plants:
Adriatic JH,Negretta,O"Rourke Celeste,Vasilika Sika,Malta Black
As For Kadota,in NJ,my opinion is,it is a poor choice for.
The fruits ,will not ripe properly due to lack of sufficient heat units during Summer.
Try growing it in a pot and use the sunniest location in your garden,to get positive results.

Hi figgi11,
The scratch test is not rocket proof .
As already exposed, some branches will die-back in spring as if the tree was trying to survive by vampirizing the life out of the branches to save the roots or make new roots.
At this point you've got two choices IMO :
1. Let her do . Just be sure that the roots are alive.
2. Cut it half-way and try to root the cutting and let the tree recover.
Good luck !

Yes, good luck and patience!  I lost a bunch of young one-year old figs that I tried to winter outside a bit South of you, despite covering them in a trench with a thick layer of dried leaves for insulation.  I had a few promising looking buds when I dug them out about 2 weeks ago, but everything then went to mush.  I hope you have better luck with your Kadota!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and happy figging!

Exact thing happening to me with two potted Sal's Corleone.  Both acting exactly the same, and the same as you described.  They are both a few feet tall with branching.  Initially just the tips looked damaged but after a week they both looked like goners.  Coming back and starting to show life on the trunks.