I wish to send a Hardy Chicago, bare root to family in Chicago.  When would be the best time to do that.  Hardy Chicago had some sort of good figs here in so ca, but should I send it in Jan?

Just asking

HC to Chicago, isn't that like coal to Newcastle?

OK, I'm officially confused.  This was just a simple question.  What is Newcastle?  and coal?

Suzi

Thanks Suzi for asking, I was going to  ask but decided to give Google a hit. A lot of history is involved, but in a nutshell it means "foolhardy or pointless action", check out the history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coals_to_Newcastle

The same if someone said;
that's like trying to sell ice to the eskimos

Sending Hardy Chicago cuttings to CHICAGO

Humor, irony, etc.

To answer your shipping question,
I would suggest you ask our resident expert, Aaron4usa.

DD,

Send it in the Fall when the weather is cool, even better if the plant is dormant.

I wouldn't send it in January because it could freeze to death.  Sept is probably your best bet.  Then it can go dormant naturally in Chi.  By the time your plant is dormant it'll be too late.

November is a safe month.
I have received dormant plants in December & January in Zone 5a but it needs watch for delivery man; parcel tracking helps.

I don't know the size of your plant, but I just got a smaller plant (1 gallon pot) last week 2 day priority that is doing great.  If time is no issue, maybe wait til Sept or Oct when it's cooler.

The weather is only in the upper 70's next week. Send it now.

Hi Desertdance,
Do you have more space (for over-wintering the tree properly ) or does your recipient ?
If you have more space keep the tree until march or April and send it at that time - this will avoid the recipient eventually having problems with wintering the tree.
If you just want them to have the tree asap, then send it in October.
Good luck !

jdsfrance, we barely have winter here in Southern California, but most figs go dormant in December.  But I know it's deep winter for Chicago then.  I just want to send it bare root so I don't have to ship it in dirt.  Our spring is in March.  I'll ask our niece when she would rather have me ship it.  She has a basement, so it might not be a problem.

I sent a bunch out this March bare root and I'm pretty sure they all made it.  I didn't have any complaints!