Just when you think you are going above and beyond for your fig trees, you see this.
I took these photos today while in Allentown, Pa. These varieties originally from Syria.


Here's how a fig orchard in Pennsylvania looks like in winter.
Those trees are at least 10' tall.



The owner gives some fresh figs to his buddies in the summer months. They return the favor by helping him wrap his trees in November.

Here's a pic I found online a while back. This one's in Brooklyn, NY. The bucket on top is the best. http://www.i-italy.org/4533/backyard-figs-brooklyn

Thanks for posting Bass, someday I just might do that in WI.

Why didn't they wrap the base of the tree in the first picture. I'm not a northerner, but seems that would be the part they would most want to save.  Just curious! Thanks for posting Bass. There's so much cold weather fig information on the forums, that I think I'd know how if I ever moved that direction. Can't imagine why I ever would, though!:-))))))))))))

I would certainly protect the base before the top, but it had worked well for the first tree for many years.

I would protect the tree as a whole also.
But it will die from the thinnest parts first that being the tips and working downwards if left unprotected im thinking. The thickest trunk parts have the most " anitfreeze" protection in my opinion but i;m not positive on that, from what iv'e seen in winter storage in garage when i get some winter freeze lost with trees left unprotected its always at the top of plant never on bottom.
Perhaps this is why when trees outdoors are left unprotected the die back down to the ground but i  bet that process starts at the top and the root system being the last to go .
Just not sure , my family always buried there trees here.