I decided to try a new way since all the other ways failed the last two years.





  This is a heavy duty moving blanket wrapped many times around the tree first time trying this.



 


This is 1 1/2 inch foam insulation that I custom cut and sealed with duct tape. R70

This has a square top with a few vent holes.

 
This is the 2nd tree I did today


  

another moving blanket

 

A look inside from top

   


The Top, plenty ventilation






I was exhausted, could not think of any other name

   

Had to go out and purchase another tarp

 

yesterdays wrap

My wife's grandfather did something like that it was all the same way accept he had wood walls around it instead of plastic. It looked like an outhouse, but it worked for many years.

I can't imagine that not working...please post again in your spring and let us know.

looks great, I hope you didn't forget the moth balls!

Yes, it looks like it ought to withstand a lot of cold.  I would only caution you that you might want to have some sort of ventilation in the top to reduce chances of moisture getting trapped inside and causing rot.

Thanks for the advice, I will confirm ventilation tomorrow as I have another tree to do the same. I will be very disappointed if this fails, I invested more than originally budgeted for.
But if I get a happy fig tree in May :) all is wonderful.

It's going to work

You can use a PVC pipe to allow the air to circulate down into the cavity. I wrapped my trees similarly just yesterday. Scroll to the bottom of this page and watch the video - a true master of gardening shares some of his fig knowledge: http://www.theitaliangardenproject.com/visit-bruno-garofalo.html 

Thank You, I enjoyed watching that. I wish I had the property, Long Island typical plots are 60 x 100 so I need to be creative with it.

I do continue the Italian heritage of gardening and fruit trees, even making homemade wine! Everything that the new generation wants no part of.    

I am in Zone 6 (NJ) and had luck last year when I used weed blocking fabric and a tarp + bucket on my 2-foot Kadota tree. I used the rolled the fabric around a few times first, and then the tarp. Despite having the coldest February on record, the tree suffered NO dieback, except when the temperature dipped below freezing a couple of nights in April and I failed to re-cover the tree. The green tips and buds turned brown and it took until late May for a bunch of shoots to sprout from the bottom of the trunk.

This year I'm going to do the same but use a layer of fiberglass insulation in between the fabric and tarp just for added insurance. The PROBLEM is during the Spring when the temperature fluctuates ... when it gets too warm to keep covered, but then cold enough to require protection again some nights ... Is it okay to just keep them covered until the danger of frost has completely gone (early May)? I'm worried that the warm days in April will cause the trees to roast / rot if I keep them covered. What do you do when this happens in early Spring? Thanks!

Took about a week (one tree per day) but finally finished!

   
 


 

Thats a nice job!

I just got tired of losing my trees, watch this winter will be warm.....  I am concerned a little about rot and will look into venting with PVC. The tree is wrapped first with padded movers blankets so it will both breath and absorb moisture. It is soooooo much easier bringing my potted fig trees :O

Not only did you do a good job with wrapping the trees, but you have a nice mountain view as well!

Thank you. It makes for good privacy.  I even maintain the wooded area to an extent too; ridding of all the Oriental Bittersweet vines about 5 years ago and ridding of some of the dead ash trees (makes for good firewood).  The view faces east and has a nice skyline view in the winter when the trees are dormant. 

I want to move the small fig all the way to the left on the opposite side because the peach tree that is there has gotten big a blocks a good amount of sun.  Going to wait until the early spring.  The tree had been in-ground for two seasons already so I hope that the roots aren't too established / sprawled out.

Here are a few more pics during the past Summer ...      

That peach tree looks so healthy, wow

I live near the water, salt air makes growing an uphill battle.

Thanks for the tip Figgi, learning experience and will post results in Spring.

updated, two inch pvc pipe was added in the back for air ventilation. The inside felt very warm NY 45 degree weather