It seems that there is a lot of differing information on the internet.  I have tried to do my due diligence before asking ridiculous questions by searching this form and using search engines.  My first question is in regard to the crop, I know that Celeste does not put on a breba crop and from my understanding this is the first crop that takes place on older wood.  That would obviously mean to me at least that Celeste puts on a crop on it's new growth.  However I actually read somewhere earlier that it doesn't do well with dying back to the ground because though it will grow back that year it does not put on figs on new growth.  Now I am just confused, I was sure the reason this particular fig did so well in Tennessee is do to the fact that it can die back, grow from the roots and produce that season.  My family in NC has only grown Southern Brown Turkey and they never die back at least near the coast.  So what's the deal with Celeste?  If it dies back and I loose the wood (though I plan on protecting) will I not get a crop off of these trees?  My other question relates to Cold Hardiness, I know some of you have done a lot of research and field testing.  How would you rate Celeste vs Hardy Chicago or similar varieties?  Also rate the flavor if you would!  Thanks everyone!

I have a brother that lives in Tullahoma, he has 2 Celeste. They prune them to about 2 foot and cover them with leaves. They bear every year.
"gene"

I had two different strains of Celeste in pots. You could tell immediately by the color of the trunk that they were not similar trees.
One dropped its fruit for two years in a row and is gone while the other is a prolific tree that I kept. The color of the ripe fruit is more light red/purple than black.
Celeste has not let me down and has shown a better resistance to winter damage than many other varieties I grow and shows no sign of FMV. For the past two years (in Pot) No die back at all. The trunk is a couple of inches thick, so I leave it outside with no protection at all. But this is Texas. On couple of occasions the temperature would dip to the low teens overnight but then climbs back fairly quickly to the 30's and higher during the day. Despite the moderate winters, many other varieties might still suffer from winter damage.
The flavor is as you'd expect from a common fig. I would describe it as sweet but not as complex as other Dark varieties such as Ronde de Bordeaux, St. Rita and others.  When comparing Celeste to Chicago Hardy, I prefer the flavor of Chicago despite Celeste being more productive.
My Celeste has only one crop. I cannot recall exactly where those new figs appear, but almost sure that they like to grow on new branches.

I live in Charlotte, NC. I have Celeste, Hardy Chicago and Brown Turkey. HC is hardier than both. Celeste is hardier than BT. However, HC is richer in flavor that both. In my zone, I don't winterize either of these 3. Get yourself a Florea. It ripen early and a little larger than Celeste but HC beats them all in flavor and taste.

Hope this helps.

Did you know they were two different varieties of Celeste when purchasing?  How productive is your Brown Turkey in comparison to your other varieties?( a little off topic I know)...  Sounds like I need some Hardy Chicago, or maybe a lot of Hardy Chicago lol I guess it depends on how it compares to MBVS and RdB in taste and productivity!

When the plant dies to the ground the new branches are first generation and will not give fruit.
If you protect the bottom of the branches somehow or cut them low, so you can protect them easily, the new branches will grow from the old branches and therefore be second generation and produce fruit. 

WOW!!!  Barry that was awesome post.  I really appreciate the time you spent to answer my questions and post pictures.  This really is an amazing forum.  There is a wealth of knowledge here that really can't be rivaled.  It is awesome learning how to cultivate the infamous fig and a joy to share with others.  Are you growing other cold hardy cultivars?

Tennesseefig , my grandma told me something similar about grapes, I do have some figs in ground, but I prefer 7 gl pots and keep my trees small, very easy to handle. I'm planning to try the Japanese cordon style where they grow branches side ways about 1 foot off ground and trim the second generation branches to 1 or 2 nodes every year and grow figs on 3rd generation.

We are fortunate here in Texas as they changed the laws (2013) and now we can sell home processed products such as jellies, jams, preserves, pickles, etc.  I think there may restrictions on distributing the products, such as setting up a wholesale operation.  It is a lot of work.

Again great information. Thx Everyone for such clarity on the first vs second year growth question. I had it confused! I have been trying to protect all of this years growth and it sounds like it would be better to keep the trees smaller w more protection. I am trying the 7 gallon pots also. Had 3 trees in ground pots with holes. When we pulled them out of the ground they had grown amazing roots after just 4 months. They are now sitting toasty in the house. Dreaming of figs in AZ.

Just remember brebas grow on one year old growt ,when you prune should leave some of those

You may be right about Celeste but other varietals do and Brebas will grow on old wood