This is our cold hardy fig winter test results report, for winter 2012/2013.

While uncovering figs spring of 2012, I noticed that in our rush to cover up the figs, start of winter 2011, I over looked one Marseilles Black VS, seven month old, 12" Tall sucker. Then upon checking the seven month old sucker, I was surprise to see that it was green, and alive right up to it's tip.

Although, our winter of 2011/2012 did not get any lower then 5 degrees, I thought that was impressive, for a plant that was no more then seven months old. We were planning on starting our winter uncovered figs testing, after our figs reached five years of age. But since this one little sucker did so well, we decided to start our cold hardy fig testing earlier. So winter of 2012/2013 we left uncovered one of three, five foot tall, Marseilles Black VS, one of two Hardy Chicago plants, and one Brooklyn White.

Brooklyn White and Marseilles Black VS, are planted about ten feet apart next to a four foot tall boulder. The Marseilles Black VS, is about five feet tall, and the Brooklyn White is about four feet tall. The Hardy Chicago was pruned down to about three feet at the start of winter, and occupies a microclimate, in the V of our chimney.

The Brooklyn White lost 50% of it's top. The eight year old Hardy Chicago did not suffer any winter damage. The four year old, five foot, Marseilles Black VS, did not suffer any winter damage either. Our 2012/2013 winter did not get any lower then 0 degrees. It has been rather warm the last two winters, in our cold Connecticut, zone 5b/6a location.

We are growing and testing around 25 or so figs. Figs that have been classified as cold hardy. Paul Tracesky, tested Hardy Chicago, Sal's EL, and other figs for several years, in this part of Connecticut, during the middle of the 1990's. Paul had come to the conclusion after his trial testing, that Hardy Chicago was not the most cold hardy fig, and that he thought Sal's EL, was more cold hardy the Hardy Chicago. After his testing period, he kept only one fig, his Sal's EL. I agree with Paul, on his test results.

Marseilles Black VS, is superior to to Hardy Chicago, being able to withstand more cold, then Hardy Chicago. Plus Marseilles Black VS, does not need as much direct sun light, as Hardy Chicago needs to to produce a large crop of figs.

Although, we have many more cold hardy figs being grown and tested here. Plus, several that look like they may even do better then Marseilles Black VS, and Sal's EL. The two that we still recommend to our new gardening customers, in cold areas like ours, is Paul's selection, Sal's EL, and it's now replacement, Marseilles Black VS.

Attached, our winter pictures of Hardy Chicago, and Marseilles Black VS.

Bob - Connecticut zone 5b/6a

    

I'm in zone 5b-6a also.
I'm excited to hear your results!
Thanks for sharing Bob!

Bob,

I'm curious what is your average amount of snow cover that remains on ground throughout the winter?

The insulating properties of snow are terrific. I have found that the portion of my more sensitive plants(not figs) that are buried in snow will be healthy virtually no matter what the lows are, and the exposed portions die. Granted the snow not only isulates them from temperature but also the dry wind/air.

In our area, the snow cover on average doesn't hang out for long.  We get a good deal of alternating cold/warm sun/snow/melt.

yes also in zone5b looking forwards to more info . thanks Bob

Thank you for posting this Bob.  Believe it or not, it is looking like I may have lost one or two trees to cold/dry conditions even here in zone 8.

You have given me some ideas for replacing anything that doesn't come back.

hey bob have you tested VISTA for cold hardyness?

Thanks very much Bob for your continued testing and sharing of cold hardiness information.

Bob,
Thanks!

I'm always interested in your reports and comments about cold hardiness, and the tests you do.  I'm engaged in somewhat similar tests (but in a colder zone, 5a, with temperatures this year routinely reaching -5F and sometimes -15F).  

One variable I'm trying to pay close attention to is wind exposure, and minimalist techniques for protection from wind.  For example, in my area of prevailing westerly winds, being close to a windblock immediately to the west seems to make a big difference.  Can you describe more fully the situation of the trees in your trials, relative to wind protection?  For example, what is the compass orientation of the V of your chimney where the HC is placed?  And what is the compass orientation of the trees placed next to large boulders?

Also, I cannot see any attached pictures  (possibly this is a problem with my browser configuration; or did you neglect to attach the pictures you mention in your text?).

All very interesting.  My current tests involve MBVS, EBT (Frank's strain), HC, and have recently added a couple of others.  However except for the EBT, my trees are only 2-year-olds, so I've not yet gotten to the point of reducing the winter protection on them to minimalist levels (except for the EBT).  My plan is to engage the a protocol of gradually reduced winter protections for the in-ground trees starting at 4 years old.  

Any description/diagramming of your "boulder protections" and placements would be great to hear.  Of what you posted, the tips surviving to 0F (or "no lower than 0F") sounds particularly promising.  I lost tips and part of the tops on some of the EBT's this year, and one tip (of 5 or 6) on HC even with significant protection. 

Mike   central NY state, zone 5

Nice to know Bob,   planted my MBvs from you, the BV BT and the Gino budded out on me and I am waiting to get past these last freezes before I put them in the ground.  looking forward to the DD when they are ready.

Great post Bob! Thank you. Would you mind sharing some of the other varities in your trial? Thanks

Thanks Bob!
Can you expand on "Marseilles Black VS, does not need as much direct sun light, as Hardy Chicago"? How much direct sun have you found each needs in your climate?
I'd also love to know more about what you are trialing and the micro climates each is in. Do you have a blog or other public record of your work?

Awesome work!

Thanks, Bob.  I'd like to see the photos also.

Can you give any assessment on the productivity of the varieties?

Calvin - No all winter snow cover. The snow comes and goes.

Austin - Never tested Vista because it has been said that it is not a cold hardy winter fig.

Mike - When most people think of a cold a hardy fig, they think Hardy Chicago. All the collectors I know do not consider Hardy Chicago the most cold hardy fig. I rate Hardy Chicago, a zone 6b fig. Hardy Chicago, died back to ground level or almost ground level, for at least 5 years. This happen although it was planed in our best micro-climate. The V of our chimney is south facing. Even with cold hardy figs winter wind protection is a must.
The fifty percent of the Brooklyn White that was lost, was all above the top of the boulder, it is planted next to.  

Greg - Glad to hear your MBVS, is doing well. Your reserved Danny's Delight is about 8" High. It should be ready to ship, some time in June.

Remp - Didn't I email you  a list of our other figs we are testing?

Andy - Here Hardy Chicago will not put on more then a half dozen or so figs, unless it gets at least 8 hours of direct sun light. Marseilles Black will produce a least a hundred, with less then 6 hours of direct sun light. I know of collectors who are getting as many as 200 figs from three Year old Marseilles Black VS plants.

Harvey - Given enough direct sun light all the figs we are testing are productive. But, the most productive would be Bayernfeige Violetta. Like a lot of English Brown Turkeys, about 80 percent of the figs have to be removed. But, you would still end up with at least 100 fruit.

Bob - Connecticut zone 5b/6a

Bob,
Thanks for the reply, really great info your putting out.

Thanks for the info Bob, this helps me out alot!

There are some things I don't like about California.  When I see this sort of stuff I appreciate the weather in my area a lot! :)

Bob,
have you tasted Florea nd Valle Negra in your area?Ciao,
Giuseppe

Thanks for the Info. Great ideas here. I live in a whole different world than most here. It is very hot here 90 degrees today but very cold around 10 to 5 degrees in winter just a few days a winter. Any tips form others in the south west will help. Good point about the cold winds in winter will take this into my planning for my new figs.

Zone 8
South west TX

I have list all in pots or still rooting
TX Blue Giant
Black Mission
Excel
Green Ischia
Magnolia
LSU Purple 
A few unknowns

Wish List Marseilles Black VS