I found these pictures on a french gardening forum.

The pictures are of an Italian gentlemen growing a ''large'' trunk fig tree in Montreal.






original post here

What a gorgeous tree!
Can you find out what variety it is? Does the owner sell cuttings? Does he winterize the tree in Z5b?
Thank you.
Vickie.

Bada Bing thats a nice tree in that area.
When i get a chance i will read those posting i have to translate but thats easy.
Thanks Michal for sharing the pictures i really like them.
Best Health

''Can you find out what variety it is?''
The owner has probably no idea what variety he is growing he might only be able to say the color of the fruits. However, I am trying to get myself registered on that french forum so I can try to contact the person who posted these pictures. The only thing is that the registration process is a pain in the ass.

''Does the owner sell cuttings?''
This is highly unlikely but there is a mention in the post that he was giving out cuttings to his neighbors.

''Does he winterize the tree in Z5b?''
100% for sure there is no way this tree would survive even with such a large trunk. My guess is that he cuts the roots on one side and buries the tree in Fall.
I met once a Italian couple who had their own tree in Montreal but the trunk was not as large. They let it grow in a ''bush form''. See this link for the pictures

Michal there is a house  just west of my condo that has a small fig tree against the house. For the two past winters I have notice he does not protect this tree at all, and yet every april when I walk by late april I notice its pushing out leaves and still alive how hardy is this damn tree I asked myself. Unfortunately I tried knocking on the door 4 times already and never got anyone home yet. I think next time I knock and they dont answer im going to help myself to some cuttings hehehe.

I love that tree you posted wonder if thats a sal's fig?

Hi Nelson,

Toronto is warmer then Montreal and your neighboor has planted his tree against a wall which is probably helping it in maintaining a warmer temperature around it. I am pretty much sure this is not a Sal's since no one in Quebec is selling Sal's figs. The only way to find the details is for me to get in touch with this person.

Michal if you could ever get in touch with those people would be great, wonder how old that tree is considering how thick that trunk is must be quite old.

Mont,
Thanks for the info. Is it really possible to chop half the root and bury whole tree for the winter without killing it? Amazing...

Montreal, that's a impressive fig tree for Canada. Is there any fig forum members in that area who could get some pictures of the tree, while it's still winter? It looks like it is bearing breba as well as main crop figs???? It seems like that would be very difficult in that area. It appears to maybe be a very cold hardy fig tree. Would be nice if we all could see how he is winter protecting it. thanks for posting it. I'm going to see if I can get my translator working again and join that form. Bob

vray: Yes this can be done. You probably need to prune a portion of the branches when you do that. Someone once posted pictures of large transplanted fig trees into pots.

robertharper: I am already in the area and if I am able to get myself registered I will go and see this gentlemen. If it was not for the fig tree I would not register with that forum since their registration process is too complex. I already had 3 email exchanges and they promised they would register me but nothing until now...

In terms of being very cold hardy I think it is related to how well it is protected during winter.